Sexing Agonum (Tanystoma) maculicolle: Tule Beetle - Tanystoma maculicolle

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Adephaga » Ground Beetles (Carabidae) » Harpalinae » Harpalitae » Platynini » Tanystoma » Tule Beetle (Tanystoma maculicolle)

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Copyright © 2006 Paolo Sanguankeo

Sexing Agonum (Tanystoma) maculicolle: Tule Beetle - Tanystoma maculicolle

paso robles, san luis obispo County, California, USA
October 5, 2006
Size: 11 mm

I was trying to determine the sex of this beetle, but the abdomen is so dark that I could see whether it has a penis or not. However, I did notice there are 4 setae on the tip of the ventral side of the abdomen on certain ones, and only 2 on the rest (see the pictures). Also, certain beetles are darker, with two pronounced spot on the pronotum. Does anyone have an idea which of these characteristics determines the sex of this carabid species. You guys are awesome!! Thanks, Paolo

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Sexing Agonum (Tanystoma) maculicolle: Tule Beetle - Tanystoma maculicolle

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Contributed by Paolo Sanguankeo on 21 December, 2006 - 5:21pm
Last updated 17 December, 2007 - 1:54pm

Moved

Moved from Tule beetle.

… Jim McClarin, 14 July, 2007 - 2:11pm

Moved

Moved from Beetles.

… Jim McClarin, 4 February, 2007 - 2:52pm

Guess that will work

Dear Paolo,

I know that in some Amara spp., such a sexual dimorphism in the number of abdominal setae is found, and its possibly also the case here. You may trust it after dissection of at least two specimens each. I guess the ones with two setae will be the males - but it might be the other way round, who knows?

Sometimes, you´ll get surprised: In Indonesia I experienced, that in some dung beetle species, it´s the females who have longer horns . . .

On the other hand, I do not expect colour differences being related to sex - never heard of in ground beetles.

regards, Boris

… Boris Büche, 22 December, 2006 - 5:23am

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