Fur flea beetle

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Fur flea beetle
Leptinus testaceus lives on mice

Leptinus testaceus lives on mice

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Beetle (Coleoptera)
Subordination : Polyphaga
Superfamily : Staphylinoidea
Family : Leiodidae
Subfamily : Fur flea beetle
Scientific name
Platypsyllinae
Ritsema , 1869

The fur flea beetles (Platypsyllinae, from Greek : platys = flat, flat; and psyllos = flea) are a subfamily of the sponge ball beetles (Leiodidae). They are one of the few beetles that parasitize on mammals and have a modified physique. In the first description, this led to the beetles being added to the fleas . The beetles live on beavers (" beaver flea "), mice and other rodents as well as on insectivores such as moles and in their burrows.

features

The beetle species of the Platypsyllinae are small, they are up to a maximum of 5 millimeters long. Their color is usually yellowish brown. They are unable to fly and have no or greatly reduced eyes. The body is elongated and strongly flattened dorsoventrally . The wing-coverts ( elytres ) are, similar to those of the short-winged animals , more or less shortened, in the genus Leptinus hardly at all, and most strongly in the genus Platypsyllus .

In the type species Platypsyllus , the hind wings are completely reduced, as in the other genera of the subfamily; the segments of the abdomen are visible due to the strong shortening of the wings. Due to convergent adaptations, the appearance of these beetles is similar to that of other ectoparasites from the insect group, such as fleas, which are flattened on the sides, or lice , which are also flattened dorsoventrally.

The antennae in the genus Platypsyllus are greatly shortened and are encased by the second antenna segment, which is particularly enlarged and shaped like a ladle. In the other genera, the eleven-segment antennae are usually thin and long. The legs are also relatively long and allow the beetles to move quickly. The antennae are directed backwards when running.

distribution

The genus Leptinillus is only found in North America with two species. The monotypical genus Silphopsyllus lives in the Palearctic from Ukraine via Russia to Kazakhstan . The other two genera are holarctic . Leptinus includes six Palearctic and three Nearctic species. The monotypical genus Platypsyllus can be found wherever its host genus Castor occurs with its two species, the European and the Canadian beaver .

Way of life

Both the adult beetles and the larvae live on mammals or in their structures and nests. The species of beetle of the Platypsyllinae, which parasitize on semi-aquatic rodents and insectivores , are also adapted to their way of life. Other species, such as Leptinus testaceus , which lives on mice and moles and in their burrows , prefer dry burrows and are rarely found in the burrows of moles that are located in the humid plains. The species of the Platypsyllinae feed on dead skin cells and possibly skin secretions. It is considered unlikely that they will also feed on blood. Other parasitic arthropods such as mites as well as food remains of small mammals in their nests were given as further food options in the older literature .

The species of the genus Leptinus that live on mice and other small mammals are also often found in the earth nests of bumblebees . In the 19th century, this led to the theory that the beetles would only use the host animals for phoresis to get into the bumblebees' burrows. However, it is more likely that the beetles found only appear as relics in abandoned mice burrows where bumblebees have settled.

Research history

In 1869, Ritsema established the Platypsyllidae family within the fleas based on his first description of Platypsyllus castoris , which was found on a beaver kept in Rotterdam Zoo . Westwood set up a separate order for these insects, which are greatly modified in physique, the Achreioptera. Only LeConte correctly assigned the Platypsyllidae to beetles in 1872. For the Leptinus genus, which is now regarded as closely related to Platypsyllus castoris , LeConte established the Leptinidae family in 1872. In 1922 these two groups were merged by Jeannel to form the subfamily Leptininae within the carrion beetles (Silphidae). Due to the priority rule, this subfamily was later given the older name Platypsyllinae and was assigned to the sponge ball beetles (Leiodidae).

Genera

The subfamily Platypsyllinae comprises four genera (each listed here with the type species). The genera are monotypical or not very species-rich.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Stewart B. Peck: Distribution and biology of the ectoparasitic beaver beetle Platypsyllus castoris Ritsema in North America (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Platypsyllinae). Insecta Mundi, 20, 1-2, pp. 85-94, 2006, p. 85
  2. ↑ Stewart B. Peck: Distribution and biology of the ectoparasitic beetles Leptinillus validus (Horn) and L. aplodontiae Ferris of North America (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Platypsyllinae) . Insecta Mundi, 0003, pp. 1-7, 2007, p. 1

literature

  • Stewart B. Peck: Distribution and biology of the ectoparasitic beaver beetle Platypsyllus castoris Ritsema in North America (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Platypsyllinae) . Insecta Mundi, 20, 1-2, pp. 85-94, 2006 PDF
  • Stewart B. Peck: Distribution and biology of the ectoparasitic beetles Leptinillus validus (Horn) and L. aplodontiae Ferris of North America (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Platypsyllinae) . Insecta Mundi, 0003, pp. 1-7, 2007

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