Phosphuga atrata

Black Worm Hunter ( Phosphuga atrata )

The black worm hunter or black carrion beetles ( Phosphuga atrata ) is a beetle of the family of carrion beetles ( Silphidae ).

Features

The beetles are 10-15 mm long and have a fairly flat and oval body. The basic color of the chitin carapace is black, younger specimens are brown, but there is also a light brown form ( f pedemontana ). On each of the two elytra are three protruding longitudinal ribs between the surface is wrinkled. The edge of the top wing is bent slightly upward. The head is extended and is clear from the rest of the body. The eleven-membered sensors are half as long as the body, filiform and in the end they are slightly thickened. The last three limbs are finely hairy.

Occurrence

The animals are very widely used in Europe and Asia east to Japan. North extends their range over the Arctic Circle. They are often found in damp places, such as under leaves and bark and moss.

Way of life

The beetles lead a hidden life. Their flat body allows them to crawl into narrow crevices. The animals hunt on the ground snails, where they can stick their narrow, protruding head into the housing when the snails have retired. The larvae are black and flat and they also feed on snails. They pupate in the soil. In case of danger but the beetles a yellowish liquid and pull the head under the pronotum.