Species Platypsyllus castoris - Beaver Parasite Beetle

Classification · Size · Range · Habitat · Life Cycle · Print References

Beaver Parasite Beetle - Platypsyllus castoris

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)

Superfamily Staphylinoidea (Rove, Carrion and Fungus Beetles)

Family Leiodidae (Round Fungus Beetles)

Subfamily Platypsyllinae

Genus Platypsyllus

Species castoris (Beaver Parasite Beetle)

Size

2mm

Range

Central United States to California and Alaska.

Habitat

This beetle is a parasite of beavers. It has also been found on a otter (The Coleopterists Bulletin, 60(4):312–313, 2006).

Life Cycle

P. castoris is found on its host at all times except during its time as an egg (30 days) and while it's pupating (11-12 days).

Print References

The Coleopterists Bulletin, 60(4):312–313, 2006.

American Beetles vol. 1 (Arnett & Thomas)

A Field Guide to the Beetles of North America (White)

Contributed by Joyce Gross on 22 February, 2007 - 9:38pm

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