Actizeta albata are a species of darkling beetle endemic to New Zealand. They were first described in 1875 by Francis Pascoe and were the first species of the Actizeta genus to be described. A. albata live along the coast in sandy beaches. They are a diurnal species that act as scavengers.
| Actizeta albata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Tenebrionidae |
| Genus: | Actizeta |
| Species: | A. albata |
| Binomial name | |
| Actizeta albata Pascoe, 1875 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Actizeta ammobioides Pascoe 1875 | |
Taxonomy
editThis species was described in 1875 by Francis Polkinghorne Pascoe from specimens collected in Waikato. It is the type species of Actizeta. Another species was described in the same publication, Actizeta ammobioides, but was later recognised to be the same species.[1][2] The lectotype is stored in the Natural History Museum of London.[3]
Description
editAs adults, Actizeta albata are 2.6-3.4mm in length. A. albata can be distinguished from the only other species in the genus, Actizeta fusca, by the shape of the anterior tibia and eyes, and the colour of the scales, body, and antennae. On the outer edge of the front tibia there is a deep depression. The eyes are fairly large and round. The body is dark brown and is covered in scales that are mostly whitish, but may be dark. These light and dark scales form markings on the body. The antennae is dark brown.[3]
The larvae are whitish and have an elongated appearance. The mandibles and claws are dark brown.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editThese beetles are endemic to New Zealand, where they live on sandy beaches. They are widespread throughout the North Island and the northern half of the South Island.[3] They occur in sandy zones above the high tide mark, sand dunes and dune blow-outs.[5]
Diet
editAs adults, Actizeta albata are scavengers that are sometimes seen feeding on dead invertebrates and other carrion.[5]
Behaviour
editReferences
edit- ↑ Pascoe, Francis P. (1875). "XXVI.—Descriptions of new genera and species of New-Zealand coleoptera.—Part I". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 16 (93): 210–223. doi:10.1080/00222937508681155.
- ↑ Watt, J C (1965). "Notes on the genus Actizeta Pascoe, 1875 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)". New Zealand Entomologist. 3 (4): 24–25. Bibcode:1965NZEnt...3...24W. doi:10.1080/00779962.1965.9722844.
- 1 2 3 Watt, J. Charles (13 July 1992). "Tenebrionidae (Insecta: Coleoptera): catalogue of types and keys to taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 26. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.26. ISSN 1179-7193.
- ↑ Watt, J C (1992). "Relationships of Actizeta and Cnemeplatiini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)". Systematic Entomology. 17 (3): 287–299. Bibcode:1992SysEn..17..287W. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3113.1992.tb00339.x.
- 1 2 Harris, A C (1970). "Coastal beetles of the Wanganui-Manawatu area part 1. Environmental factors and zonation". Bulletin of Natural Sciences. Wellington. 1: 45–58.
- ↑ Harris, A C (1970). "Coastal beetles of the Wanganui-Manawatu area part 2. Morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations of psammophilous burrowing beetles. Appendix: experiments on physiological tolerances". Bulletin of Natural Sciences. Wellington. 1: 59–87.