Tetralobus flabellicornis

Tetralobus flabellicornis, the Giant Acacia Click Beetle, is a species of click beetle belonging to the family Elateridae.

Tetralobus flabellicornis
Museum specimen of Tetralobus flabellicornis
Male specimen of Tetralobus flabellicornis
Scientific classification
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T. flabellicornis
Binomial name
Tetralobus flabellicornis
(Linnaeus, 1767)

Description

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Tetralobus flabellicornis can reach a length of 60–80 millimetres (2.4–3.1 in). This large click beetle has a dark brown to black body covered with a brownish grey pubescence, the latter showing a weak to medium reflectance in the near-infrared.[1] The quite long antennae carry large lamellae in males, while they are serrate in females. Larvae live in the termite nests. These beetles feed on Acacia trees.

Distribution and habitat

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This species is widespread in South Africa, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Zambia, Zanzibar, Liberia and Zaire. It lives in savannah and subtropical forests.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mielewczik, Michael; Liebisch, Frank; Walter, Achim; Greven, Hartmut (2012). "Near-Infrared (NIR)-Reflectance in Insects – Phenetic Studies of 181 Species" (PDF). Entomologie heute. 23: 183–215.