Biology:Zophobas
| Zophobas | |
|---|---|
| |
| Zophobas morio | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Tenebrionidae |
| Tribe: | Tenebrionini |
| Genus: | Zophobas Blanchard, 1845 |
| Species | |
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See text | |
Zophobas is a genus of beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, the darkling beetles. In Cuba beetles of this genus are known as blind click-beetles.[1]
Perhaps the best known species is Zophobas morio, synonymously known as Zophobas atratus, a beetle whose larvae are robust mealworms sold as food for pets[2] such as lizards. The larvae are known commonly as "superworms".[3] Superworms should not be confused with darkling beetle mealworms sprayed with juvenile hormone.[4] Studies have found that in the wild the larvae sometimes live in bat guano, and they tend to cannibalize the pupae of their own species.[5] Researchers have discovered that the larvae can subsist on a diet solely of polystyrene (Styrofoam).[6]
Species include:[1]
- Zophobas morio
- Zophobas batavorum
- Zophobas laticollis
- Zophobas rugipes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Garrido, O. H. and E. Gutierrez. (1994). Variability of Zophobas rugipes Kirsch (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tenebrioninii) in Cuba. Insecta Mundi. 8(3-4). Paper 284.
- ↑ Rumbos, C I; Athanassiou, C G (1 March 2021). "The Superworm, Zophobas morio (Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae): A ‘Sleeping Giant’ in Nutrient Sources". Journal of Insect Science 21 (2). doi:10.1093/jisesa/ieab014. PMID 33834209.
- ↑ Darkling Beetle and Larva, Zophobas morio. Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory.
- ↑ Ichikawa, T. and H. Sakamoto. (2013). A third type of defensive behavior in the tenebrionid beetle Zophobas atratus pupae.[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}] Journal of Insect Science 13 33.
- ↑ Tschinkel, W. (1981). Larval dispersal and cannibalism in a natural population of Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Anim Behav 29 990-96.
- ↑ Yang, Y., Wang, J. and Mengli, X. (2019) Biodegradation and mineralization of polystyrene by plastic-eating superworms Zophobas atratus Science of the Total Environment vol. 708
Wikidata ☰ Q14852976 entry
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