Species Glischrochilus quadrisignatus - 4-spotted Sap Beetle

Classification · Other Common Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Food · Remarks · See Also · Internet References · Works Cited

4-spotted sap beetle? - Glischrochilus quadrisignatus

G. quadrisignatus Iowa March - Glischrochilus quadrisignatus

Nitidulidae changed from dermestidae? - Glischrochilus quadrisignatus

Pleasing Fungus Beetle? - Glischrochilus quadrisignatus

Beetles feeding on Sap from a Stump - Glischrochilus quadrisignatus

Four Spotted Sap Beetle - Glischrochilus quadrisignatus

Sap Beetle - Glischrochilus quadrisignatus

Sap-feeding beetle - Glischrochilus quadrisignatus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

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

Superfamily Cucujoidea (Flower, Flat Bark and Ladybird Beetles)

Family Nitidulidae (Sap-feeding Beetles)

Subfamily Cryptarchinae

Genus Glischrochilus

Species quadrisignatus (4-spotted Sap Beetle)

Other Common Names

Picnic Beetle; "beer bug"

Numbers

Widespread in North America; also occurs in Europe.

Size

4-6 mm

Identification

Distinguished from G. fasciatus by the smaller elytral blotches, and the anterior blotches being farther from the midline than the posterior blotches (USDA Forest Service). Also, G. fasciatus is all dark underneath, while G. quadrisignatus is reddish-brown (1).

Food

Larvae feed on a variety of fermenting substances. (Government of Canada)

Remarks

"This species is attracted by the odour of fermenting fruits and vegetables. Most people encounter this species when the adult beetles fly into beer or soft drinks at summer picnics." (Government of Canada)

See Also

Glischrochilus fasciatus

Internet References

live adult image (Frank Kohler, koleopterologie.de)

live adult image (C. Weisenbohler, koleopterologie.de)

comparison images of pinned adult G. fasciatus and quadrisignatus (Insects of Quebec)

pinned adult image plus other info (Government of Canada)

biology & other info (Ohio State U.)

Works Cited

1.	A Manual of Common Beetles of Eastern North America By Dillon, Elizabeth S., and Dillon, Lawrence

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 11 January, 2005 - 5:24pm
Additional contributions by cotinis
Last updated 10 January, 2007 - 3:08am

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