Psammodes

Psammodes
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Family: Tenebrionidae
Tribe: Sepidiini
Genus: Psammodes
Kirby, 1819

The Tok-tok beetles (genus Psammodes) are ground-dwelling, Afrotropical beetles in the family Tenebrionidae.[1] They are stout in shape and typically black or dark rufous in colour. They average about 2.6 cm in body length, but the Spindle toktokkie (P. bertolonii) has an elongate body shape and measures 5.3 cm,[2] while P. sulcicollis reaches 6 to 8 cm, and is the largest Tenebrionid in the world.[3] Like the related genus Dichtha, the adults tap out a rhythm on the ground to attract and locate mates. Habitats are varied, from coastal forest to ridges, koppies, woodland and desert sand.[2]

Species

The genus contains about 270 species,[4] including:

References

  1. "Psammodes". MBLWHOI Library. uBio. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 Picker, Mike; et al. (2004). Field Guide to Insects of South Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. p. 230. ISBN 978-1-77007-061-5.
  3. Owen, Colin R. "Psammodes sulcicollis Péringuey". Beetles of Africa. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  4. "Psammodes". MBLWHOI Library. uBio. Retrieved 22 January 2015.

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