''Phosphuga'' is a
European genus of
carrion beetle, whose sole member is the species ''Phosphuga atrata''. The beetle is up to 15mm long and has an elongated neck that it uses to reach into snail shells, which it sprays with a digestive fluid. The beetle feeds on live
snails,
insects and
earthworms, as well as on
carrion
Carrion () is the decaying flesh of dead animals, including human flesh.
Overview
Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters (or scavengers) include crows, vultures, c ...
. Newly moulted beetles are brownish in color, older ones are black. The
larvae are black and flattened and feed on snails as well. They
pupate in the ground. Adults are flightless, lacking flight muscles.
Although they are widely distributed, they are seldom found, because they hunt at night and hide during the day, often under bark. When disturbed, they excrete a yellow fluid and retract their head under the shield.
Range: Europe (including UK), Russia (European, Siberia, Far East, Kuriles), Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Korea (N,S), Japan, India (Kashmir), China (Heilongjiang+); intro Iceland
External links
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Pictures of adult and larva UK Beetles Phosphuga atrata Linnaeus, 1758
References
{{Reflist
Silphidae
Monotypic beetle genera