Checkered beetles

A general term for insects belonging to the family Cleridae in the order Coleoptera of the class Insecta. They are found all over the world, mostly in tropical regions, and over 3,000 species are known, with around 50 known in Japan. They are 3-24 mm long, and generally elongated, but there are rare egg-shaped species. Many species have striking colors, such as metallic colors like blue or green, or yellow, red, or white markings or stripes. Their eyes are usually quite large, their antennae are short, and their legs have leaflets. Many species are predatory, feeding on other larvae, and are found in dead trees, fallen trees, and their insect holes. Species of the genus Thanasimus are beneficial insects that prey on wood beetles, which are forest pests, and the white-striped cuckoo beetle Tarsostenus univittatus is found in holes of the flat-headed beetle, a major pest of lauan wood. Some species are known to feed on pollen and grasshopper eggs, and some are attracted to fungi. The red-legged spotted beetle Necrobia rufipes is a notorious pest of copra and, along with other species of the genus, feeds on stored plant and animal matter.

[Takehiko Nakane]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

昆虫綱甲虫目カッコウムシ科Cleridaeに属する昆虫の総称。世界各地に分布し、熱帯域に多く、3000種以上知られており、日本でもおよそ50種が知られている。体長3～24ミリメートル、一般に細長い種がほとんどであるが、まれに卵形の種もある。青、緑など金属色のものや、黄、赤、白などの紋や帯をもつものなど色彩の目だつ種が多い。目は普通かなり大きく、触角は短く、脚(あし)の跗節(ふせつ)には葉片がある。多くの種は捕食性でほかの幼虫などを食べ、枯れ木、倒木やその虫孔(むしあな)などにみいだされる。アリモドキカッコウムシ属Thanasimusの種は森林害虫のキクイムシを捕食する益虫であり、シロオビカッコウムシTarsostenus univittatusはラワン材の大害虫ヒラタキクイムシの孔から発見される。一部の種は花粉やバッタ類の卵を食べることが知られ、キノコに集まるものもある。アカアシホシカムシNecrobia rufipesは有名なコプラの害虫で、同属の他種とともに貯蔵動植物質を食べる。

［中根猛彦］

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