David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Beetles 63 – Black Carrion Beetles
BLACK
CARRION BEETLE Phosphuga atrata
·
The
Black Carrion Beetle Phosphuga atrata feeds
on snails and earthworms. The mechanism whereby snails are despatched by this
common Silphid beetle is not for the
faint-hearted! The unfortunate victim will be bitten to induce the production
of defensive mucus bubbles, in much the same manner as would happen if the snail
had been confronted by a swarm of ants. The beetle is equipped with a chemical
that it then uses to dissolve the bubbles and the body tissues of its
unfortunate victim prior to eating the contents of the shell. A useful ally,
therefore, for gardeners, most of whom would be blissfully unaware of this
beetle’s lethal tactics! The photograph above has been scanned from an
old transparency.
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