Agathidium

Genus of beetles From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Agathidium is a genus of beetles in the family Leiodidae.

Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Suborder:Polyphaga
Quick facts Scientific classification ...
Agathidium
Agathidium mandibulare
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Staphyliniformia
Family: Leiodidae
Tribe: Agathidiini
Genus: Agathidium
Panzer, 1797[1]
Close
Agathidium varians

A. bushi, A. cheneyi and A. rumsfeldi are species of this genus named after George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, respectively, by two former Cornell entomologists, Kelly B. Miller (now at the University of New Mexico)[2] and Quentin D. Wheeler. According to Miller and Wheeler, the naming of the beetles (which were three of 65 species to be named) was done in homage to the political figures.[3] The same authors named A. vaderi after the fictional Darth Vader.

Some species can roll themselves up into an almost complete sphere, similar to pillbugs. Some males have horns on their left mandibles to dislodge rival males.[4]

Species

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI