Cucujus clavipes
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| Cucujus clavipes | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Cucujidae |
| Genus: | Cucujus |
| Species: | C. clavipes |
| Binomial name | |
| Cucujus clavipes Fabricius, 1781 | |
Cucujus clavipes is known as the flat bark beetle.[1][2] It is found throughout North America.[3] These are generally found near tree line[4] under bark[2] of dead poplar and ash trees.[5] C. clavipes are described as phloem-feeding[6] and often predators[1] of other small insects, such as wood-boring beetles, and mites.[5] These are usually seen during spring-summer seasons.[5] Having a cold habitat, these beetles must go through several physiological mechanisms to survive; they are recognised for their ability to change their overwintering mechanisms.[7]
C. clavipes can be found in North America over a broad latitudinal range from North Carolina (latitude ~35°N) to the Brooks Range in Alaska (latitude, ~67°30 N) [4] and has also been reported in Alberta and in Ontario, Canada.[5] C. clavipes has two subspecies, C. clavipes clavipes, which resides in the Eastern portion of the North America and C. clavipes puniceus in the West.[8] These are poikilothermic organisms.[9]
Characteristics
The beetles are between 10 and 14 mm in length,.[2][5] Their body tends to be strongly dorsoventrally flattened and their sides parallel.[2] Their abdomen has 5 visible ventral segments.[2] These have strongly forked median process at abdominal apex.[3] These beetles are bright or dull red in colour.[5] The adult have triangular shaped heads and black antenna.[5]