Euderces velutinus

Euderces velutinus is a long-horned beetle native to Central America. It is a good ant mimic of the conspicuous species Camponotus sericeiventris.[1]

Euderces velutinus
Scientific classification
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E. velutinus
Binomial name
Euderces velutinus
(Fisher, 1931)
Synonyms

Eplophorus velutinus

Description

E. velutinus is about 1 cm long and 3 mm wide. The general color is black, with short golden hairs on top, patterned in a ways such that it resembles an ant. The hind legs are shaped ant-like. The beetle's head and prothorax together mimic the ant's head, with a pair of black spots simulating the eyes.[1]

It is very similar to E. magnus, but is smaller, has a shorter pronotum, and has the entire apical half of the elytra densely clothed with silky, golden yellow pubescence, which helps giving the impression of C. sericeiventris.[2]

Distribution

E. velutinus has been found in Guatemala and Honduras.[2]

See also

  • Myrmecotypus — a spider genus with one species also mimicking C. sericeiventris

References

  1. Wheeler, William M. (1931). "The ant Camponotus (Myrmepomis) sericeiventris Guérin and its mimic". Psyche. 38 (2–3): 86–98. doi:10.1155/1931/98237.
  2. Fisher, W. S. (1931). "A new ant-like cerambycid beetle from Honduras". Psyche. 38 (2–3): 99–101. doi:10.1155/1931/56513.
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