''Rhipicera'' is a genus of
beetle
Beetles are insects that form the Taxonomic rank, order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Holometabola. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 40 ...
belonging to the family
Rhipiceridae
Rhipiceridae is a family of beetles found worldwide. The larva of rhipicerids are parasitoids of cicada nymphs. Rhipiceridae and Dascillidae form the super family Dascilloidea, within the Elateriformia.
Taxonomic History
The taxonomic history ...
.
The larvae are
parasitoid
In evolutionary ecology, a parasitoid is an organism that lives in close association with its host (biology), host at the host's expense, eventually resulting in the death of the host. Parasitoidism is one of six major evolutionarily stable str ...
s of
cicada
The cicadas () are a superfamily, the Cicadoidea, of insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs). They are in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, along with smaller jumping bugs such as leafhoppers and froghoppers. The superfamily is divided into two ...
s.
The sexual dimorphism between male and female beetles in the genus ''Rhipicera'' has been attributed to using scent in mating behaviors.
The antennae of males and females differ in that the males have lamellate antennae while the females' antennae are significantly smaller in comparison.
It is thought that the males use their lamellate antennae, more specifically, the sensilla placodea, to detect pheromones that are produced by females.
This is suggested by certain mating behaviors, such as distinct flying patterns that have been seen in other species that rely on pheromone tracking.
Additionally, there have been observations of multiple adult males trying to mate with a singular female, which is seen in other species and this further supports that pheromones are used to help facilitate mating behaviors.
Species
All five species of the genus ''Rhipicera'' are closely related based on their morphological characters.
*''
Rhipicera attenuata'' ; Western Australia
*''
Rhipicera carinata'' ; Western Australia
*''
Rhipicera femorata'' ; Eastern coast from southern Queensland to South Australia and Tasmania
*''
Rhipicera mystacina'' ; Queensland
*''
Rhipicera reichei'' ; Queensland
Gallery
Rhipicera sp.jpg, ''Rhipicera mystacina''
Feather horned beetle - Flickr - jeans Photos.jpg, ''Rhipicera carinata'' - male antennae
Rhipicera carinata - Beetle - 1 of 2.jpg, ''Rhipicera carinata'' - Female
Rhipicera carinata - Beetle 2.jpg, ''Rhipicera carinata'' - Male
Rhipicera carinata - Feather Horned Beetle 3.jpg, ''Rhipicera carinata''
Rhicpicera femorata - feather horned Beetle - Feb 2022 - Werrington - 3.jpg, ''Rhipicera femorata''
References
External links
*
{{Elateriformia-stub
Beetles of Australia
Elateriformia genera