Tritoma
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| Tritoma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Tritoma bipustulata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Erotylidae |
| Tribe: | Tritomini |
| Genus: | Tritoma Fabricius, 1775[1] |
Tritoma is a genus of beetles in the family Erotylidae, the pleasing fungus beetles. It is distributed worldwide, mainly in the Old World.[2] There are over 100 species.[2]
Some species consume euagaric mushrooms, staying concealed amidst the gills as they feed.[3] Some feed on mushrooms growing from dead trees, as well as mycorrhizae on living roots.[4] One of the most common pleasing fungus beetles in Europe, T. bipustulata, is a black beetle with red spots which engages in autohaemorrhaging as a defensive behavior.[5]
Molecular analysis suggests that Tritoma is paraphyletic, and might be best treated as two separate genera.[3]
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