Melanophila consputa explained
Melanophila consputa, the charcoal beetle, is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in Central America, North America, and Oceania. Like other members of their genus, charcoal beetles are drawn to forest fires, which they find using sensors near their legs that detect infrared radiation. Female charcoal beetles then lay their eggs in the charred remains of coniferous trees.[1] They have been known to swarm large groups of smokers and bite humans.[2]
Further reading
- Web site: 2019-07-02. The world of jewel beetles. 2013. Bellamy . C.L..
- Book: A Catalog and Bibliography of the Buprestoidea of America North of Mexico. 2008. Nelson . Gayle H.. Walters Jr. . George C. Jr.. Haines . R. Dennis. Bellamy . Charles L.. The Coleopterists' Society. Special Publication No. 4. 978-0972608787.
- Book: Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Volume 3: Scarabaeoidea - Scirtoidea - Dascilloidea - Buprestoidea - Byrrhoidea. 2006. Lobl . I.. Smetana . A.. Apollo Books. 978-90-04-30914-2.
Notes and References
- Web site: Marshall . Michael . 24 May 2012 . Zoologger: Infrared-sensing beetles born in fire . 2022-09-05 . New Scientist . en-US.
- Web site: Moskal . Emily . Bay Nature Magazine: Fire-Chasing Charcoal Beetles Show Up After Wildfires . 2022-09-05 . Bay Nature . en-US.
