False clown beetle

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False clown beetles
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Staphyliniformia
Superfamily: Histeroidea
Family: Sphaeritidae
Schuckard, 1839
Genus: Sphaerites
Duftschmid, 1805
Species

S. dimidiatus
S. glabratus
S. nitidus
S. politus

Wikispecies has information related to:

The false clown beetles are a small family (Sphaeritidae) of beetles, closely related to the clown beetles but with distinct characteristics. The family consists of a single genus Sphaerites with four known species, widespread in temperate area but not commonly seen.

Adults range in length from 4.5-7 mm, with oval bodies, black but with a slight bluish-green sheen.

The life histories are poorly known, but they are generally found around decaying matter and fungi. S. glabratus is associated with conifer forests in northern Europe, and seems especially attracted to sap flows from trees, feeding and then mating.

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