Rhipicera
Genus of beetles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rhipicera is a genus of beetle belonging to the family Rhipiceridae.[1][2] The larvae are parasitoids of cicadas.
| Rhipicera | |
|---|---|
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| Rhipicera carinata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Elateriformia |
| Family: | Rhipiceridae |
| Genus: | Rhipicera Latreille, 1817 |
| Synonyms | |
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The sexual dimorphism between male and female beetles in the genus Rhipicera has been attributed to using scent in mating behaviors.[2] The antennae of males and females differ in that the males have lamellate antennae while the females' antennae are significantly smaller in comparison.[2] It is thought that the males use their lamellate antennae, more specifically, the sensilla placodea, to detect pheromones that are produced by females.[2] This is suggested by certain mating behaviors, such as distinct flying patterns that have been seen in other species that rely on pheromone tracking.[2] 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.[3]
Species
All five species of the genus Rhipicera are closely related based on their morphological characters.[2]
- Rhipicera attenuata Westwood 1843; Western Australia[1]
- Rhipicera carinata Jin et al., 2013; Western Australia[1]
- Rhipicera femorata Kirby 1818; Eastern coast from southern Queensland to South Australia and Tasmania[1]
- Rhipicera mystacina (Fabricius, 1775); Queensland[1]
- Rhipicera reichei Guerin-Meneville, 1843; Queensland[1]
Gallery
Rhipicera mystacina
Rhipicera carinata - male antennae
Rhipicera carinata - Female
Rhipicera carinata - Male
Rhipicera carinata
Rhipicera femorata
