Phelotrupes auratus is a species of beetle known by the common names Japanese earth-boring dung beetle and golden dung beetle.[1][2]

Phelotrupes auratus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Geotrupidae
Genus: Phelotrupes
Species:
P. auratus
Binomial name
Phelotrupes auratus

Description

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These beetles have a body length of 15–21 mm. The body is oblong-oval shaped. The clypeus is extended forward. The longitudinal groove on the pronotum is well developed. In the male, the fore tibiae have several spines, slightly differing from each other in length. Elytra display strongly developed grooves. The color of the beetles is bright, with a strong metallic sheen ranging from golden-green to violet-purple. Antennae have 11 segments with the terminal 3 segments being flabellate.[3][4]

 
preserved specimens showing range of color.
 

Range

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Phelotrupes auratus can be found in eastern China, North and South Korea and throughout Japan.[5]

Larva

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The larva is similar in structure to the larvae of other members of the family Geotrupidae. Body is thick, and white or yellowish in color. The head capsule is strongly sclerotized, colored brown or dark brown. Antennae are three-segmented. The frontal suture is absent.[6]

Taxonomy

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Phelotrupes auratus contains the following subspecies:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Japanese Earth-boring Dung Beetle (Phelotrupes auratus)". iNaturalist Canada. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  2. ^ Ivan Löbl, Daniel Löbl The Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera provides information about all beetles occurring in Europe, North Africa and Asia north of the tropics. Scarabaeoidea – Scirtoidea – Dascilloidea – Buprestoidea - Byrrhoidea: Revised and Updated Edition. BRILL, 2016.
  3. ^ Gilyarova, M.S.; Pravdina, F.N. (1984). Animal Life (2nd ed.). Moscow: Education Publishing House. p. 463.
  4. ^ Ler, Pavel A; Nauka, L. (1989). Key to insects of the Far East of the USSR. T. III. Coleoptera, or beetles. Part 1. ISBN 5020256234.
  5. ^ "Phelotrupes (Chromogeotrupes) auratus (Motschulsky, 1857)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  6. ^ Jameson, Mary Liz. "GEOTRUPIDAE - Latreille 1802 Earth-boring dung beetles". Generic Guide to New World Scarab Beetles. Retrieved 19 September 2022.