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Opatrum sabulosum


Opatrum sabulosum
Photo Information
Copyright: Tanja Almazan (sily) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 238 W: 6 N: 391] (1893)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-06
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon PowerShot A710 IS
Exposure: f/4, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-15 22:40
Viewed: 702
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Class Insecta (Insects)
Subclass Pterygota (Winged Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
Family: Tenebrionidae

Opatrum sabulosum

Darkling beetles are a diverse group, comprising over 15,000 species worldwide and inhabiting a wide range of habitats including deserts, sand dunes, caves, and woodlands. Several species are synanthropic and are cosmopolitan pests of stored Pimelia subglobosa products. A general trait, at least amongst the European species, is an affinity for dry, warm habitats and a majority of species are associated either with free-draining open habitats, such as sandy beaches, or with dead wood where several species feed on fungi. This ability to withstand arid conditions makes tenebrionids well-suited to the climate of Thásos and in the lowlands they are usually the commonest ground-active beetles encountered, replacing the Carabidae of more temperate climes. Species such as Tentyria rotundata and Pimelia subglobosa are frequently seen in suitable habitats. Tenebrionids are variable in size, ranging from 3-30mm in length, and are also very diverse in their form. Many (like the cellar beetle Blaps gigas) resemble black ground beetles, whilst others are rotund, shiny and brightly-coloured.
cicindela, Silvio2006, cedryk has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Tanja,

Well I'd say it's a darkling beetle, Opatrum sabulosum (Tenebrionidae).

Best regards,
Dmitry

Hello Tanja,
I must say that I watch with pleasure your advances in photography. Almost with every picture you make a step forward. This is a very nice, well focused, exposed and detailed shot showing the species in its natural sandy habitat

There are just two things to correct: the unsharp twigs in the foreground and two wide framing. I would crop the image to make the insect bigger, so much background is uncessary in my opinion.
Congratulations, best greetings and TFS!
Michal

PS. I agree with Dmitry on the ID.

Hello Tanja!
Very interesting object (even if not very colourful and rather common in the field). Tenebrionidae are not very often seen on TN so bravo for interesting presentation (I like both-picture and informative note ;>).
Best greetings,
Radomir

Hi Tanja, fascinating bug with splendid details, it's the first time that I see this, thanks, very well done, ciao Silvio
:) later I'm away for two days

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