astronomy-to-zoology: Ampedus quadrisignatus ….is an endangered…
….is an endangered species of click beetle that is native to Europe, ranging from France throughout central Europe to the forest-steppes in the Ukraine. A.quadrisignatus is a obligate saproxylic species as its larvae develop in rotten chestnut of the genus Castanea and other trees which hold lucanid beetle larvae. The beetles will feed on these larvae and typically predate A.scarabaeoides. The larvae will pupate in autumn but the adults will remain in the pupal cells throughout the winter months. Like most click beetles the adults posses the ability to click by snapping their ‘neck’ this allows them to right themselves and escape the grasp of predators.
Ampedus quarrisignatus is currently listed as endangered and faces threats due to forest explotation, mostly the removal of dead wood. It is also dependant on specific prey species which are declining
Phylogeny
Animalia-Arthropoda-Insecta-Coleoptera-Elateridae-Ampedus-A.quadrisignatus
Images: www.nhmus.hu and Nikola Rahme
I’ve been a member of the click beetle fandom since the age of six.
Reposted from http://lies.tumblr.com/post/63175901444.
