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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Elateriformia » Byrrhoidea » Pill Beetles (Byrrhidae) » Byrrhinae » Simplocariini » Simplocaria » Simplocaria semistriata
Photo#1031657
Terrarium Moss Garden Beetles - Simplocaria semistriata
Copyright © 2015 Nate Schoonover

Terrarium Moss Garden Beetles - Simplocaria semistriata
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
Size: 3mm
It has been just over two weeks since I posted the ID request for these cute little guys: http://bugguide.net/node/view/1028468

The larvae have since disappeared from my terrariums and now I am seeing several of these little beetles. Up close, their shells are shiny with a hint of white or yellowish hairs near the back of the shell. They react quickly to play dead, and remain in a closed state for a few minutes before getting the courage to open up. Is this an adult leaf beetle? I didn't expect it to stay so small! Do I need to worry about having these in my terrariums, will they pose any infestation problem?

Thanks for your time and advice!
Nate
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Contributed by Nate Schoonover on 8 January, 2015 - 4:51pm
Last updated 16 June, 2023 - 8:14pm

Moved tentatively; looks like the adventive S. semistriata
next time please make sure to crop images tight like i did here for you and crop off the ruler before posting

Moved from ID Request.
… v belov, 8 January, 2015 - 6:09pm login or register to post comments

Featherwing Beetle?
http://bugguide.net/node/view/385050
Am I in the right neighborhood? Thanks! :)
… Nate Schoonover, 8 January, 2015 - 5:59pm login or register to post comments

 
not related; this is a Simplocaria
not a slightest concern
… v belov, 8 January, 2015 - 6:05pm login or register to post comments

 
Simpolcaria semistriata
This insect is known to feed, mate, and oviposit on mats of the moss Dicranella heteromalla in North America. It is an invasive species from Europe where it feeds on Mnium hornum. It is selective in its food, avoiding the moss Atrichum angustatum when it is intermixed with the Dicranella. See Johnson 1990.

Johnson, P. J. 1990. Notes on the naturalization of two species of European Byrrhidae (Coleoptera) in North America. J. N. Y. Entomol. Soc. 98: 434-440.
… Janice Glime, 14 July, 2016 - 8:19pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks! I'll be sure to pull
Thanks! I'll be sure to pull in a closer crop next time! Do you think these are the adults of the larval stage I posted a few weeks ago? http://bugguide.net/node/view/1028469#1817966
… Nate Schoonover, 8 January, 2015 - 8:25pm login or register to post comments

 
the two don't look related to me at all
… v belov, 8 January, 2015 - 8:37pm login or register to post comments

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