Pseudoscorpions emerging from Archodontes melanopus?

Moved

… Jim McClarin, 16 September, 2007 - 6:43am

Family Chernetidae

Going from the very elongated opisthosoma (abdomen), and the fact that the palpal chelae (arms) are distinctly three segmented in 'bulbs', I would say that the the species you have most probably belong to the family of Chernetidae. To ID further is tricky - if you are interested contact me and I can get some keys to you. ps. a vast majority of pseudoscorpions hitch rides (phoresy) on Cerambicid beetles ! It's where I get all my specimens. cheers, sean

… Sean-Paul Smith, 23 June, 2005 - 9:17am

Hi Sean,

Since your comment above (I just moved the image!) bugguide has gotten loaded up with a bunch more images of pseudoscorpions in case you'd like to view them and possibly ID a few more to family.

… Jim McClarin, 16 September, 2007 - 6:46am

And some on elaterids

Check out this great photo by Troy Bartlett:

Keep clicking to enlarge.

… Jim McClarin, 30 September, 2005 - 5:50am

Pseudoscorpions

I know that pseudoscorpions hitch a ride on the Central American harlequin beetle in search of food and mates. In the case of the Central American harlequin beetle the pseudoscorpions attach themselves to the abdomen of the beetle under the wings and the elytra.

… Chris Wirth, 22 June, 2005 - 8:19pm

OK, that makes sense. I guess

OK, that makes sense. I guess a number of small arachnids must do that. I've seen mites that do the same thing on the many bess beetles we have around here. Must be part of being a tiny little arachnid. Thanks.

… Rattlebox Photography, 22 June, 2005 - 8:30pm

Hide under wing covers

Could you have seen them emerging from under the wings & wing covers (elytra) instead of the beetle's interior? From what I've read, pseudoscorpions passengers are seated in that area of the aircraft en route to their next rotting tree or log. They are not parasites.

… Jim McClarin, 22 June, 2005 - 7:53pm

Yeah, that must be it. I've

Yeah, that must be it. I've just shot the beetle, and he seems no worse for wear. I think I got a few close-ups of the pseudoscorpions, too, though I haven't a clue how to identify their species. Guess I'll post the pics up here and ask if they came out.

Thanks for the info.

… Rattlebox Photography, 22 June, 2005 - 8:29pm