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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Staphyliniformia » Staphylinoidea » Rove Beetles (Staphylinidae) » Ocellate Rove Beetles (Omaliinae) » Coryphiini » Ephelinus
Photo#772168
Self-dissecting? - Ephelinus
Copyright © 2013 ethanlai

Self-dissecting? - Ephelinus
Hudson, New Hampshire, USA
May 3, 2013
Found under a rock
When I looked at the specimen, what looks like the aedeagus was hanging out. It was't alone either- another specimen of another species also had the aedeagus exposed. It wasn't mating or anything, and I'm pretty sure this wasn't here the first time I looked at it. Is this normal?
Also, are the genitalia any help for ID in this case?

Images of this individual: tag all
Self-dissecting? - Ephelinus Self-dissecting? - Ephelinus - male Self-dissecting? - Ephelinus - male
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Contributed by ethanlai on 18 May, 2013 - 6:56am
Last updated 18 May, 2013 - 3:31pm

Yes, Ephelinus
Moved from Rove Beetles. V is right, this is a female - the genitalia show very nicely. A male would have a capsule-like structure (median lobe) with two skinny arms (parameres) attached near its base. Not sure about species ID, and am home right now without reference materials.
… Margaret Thayer, 18 May, 2013 - 3:31pm login or register to post comments

a female, rather, ovipositor exposed; Ephelinus?
this happens way too often in specimens that have spent time in liquid; specimens should be dried thoroughly before taking pics for identification --the liquid hides a lot of detail
… v belov, 18 May, 2013 - 9:26am login or register to post comments

 
Got it
Microscope lighting isn't working right now, but I'll try to get some dry pics as soon as it's fixed.
… ethanlai, 18 May, 2013 - 11:10am login or register to post comments

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