Numbers
18 spp. north of Mexico, many dozens worldwide
(1), 8 spp. in Canada (Checklist of Beetles of Canada and Alaska)
Identification
most species have reddish-orange pronotum and black elytra; T. festiva has broad orange band across middle of elytra
Range
worldwide and throughout NA (US and so. Canada), as follows:
(1)(2)
1 transcontinental sp. (T. thoracica)
8 eastern spp., of which 3 range into Canada and one is FL endemic)
4 western spp., of which 2 range into Canada
4 southwestern spp.
1 sp. restricted to TX
Habitat
in woodlands on gill or polypore fungi
(3)Season
April to October in IL; year-round in southern states
Food
larvae and adults feed either on
Pleurotus (Tricholomataceae) or Polyporaceae, esp.
Inonotus(3)(2)Internet References
[neither link works. =v= 8/3/10]
adult image and distribution map of
T. festiva plus description, biology, and references (Joe McHugh, U. of Georgia)
The Pleasing Fungus Beetles of Illinois; PDF doc - description, illustrations, distribution, key to Illinois species, and biology (Michael Goodrich, Eastern Illinois U., and Paul Skelley, U. of Florida)
