Geodorcus ithaginis
| Geodorcus ithaginis | |
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| Species: | G. ithaginis
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| Binomial name | |
| Geodorcus ithaginis | |
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Lissotes ithaginis Broun, 1893[1] | |
Geodorcus ithaginis is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It was described by Thomas Broun in 1893 after being discovered in the Mokohinau Islands by Mr P Sandager. Its type locality is on Halodroma Islet in the Mokohinau Islands, despite this islet not existing. It is thought that its actual type locality is likely to be Lizard Island or Stack H.[2]
Description
Including their large mandibles, male specimens range in length from 25.5 to 32.8mm. Females range in length from 20.0-22.5mm. Their exoskeleton is black and ranges from dull to moderately glossy. Male beetles have three teeth at the apex of the mandbiles; females have two. The thorax is back, glossy and wider than it is long. The elytra are rounded at the posterior and almost equally long and wide. They are covered in short branching hairs. [3]
Distribution
This species is only found in the Mokohinau Islands in New Zealand. It has been collected on Stack H and Lizard Island. In recent times, surveys have located this species on Stack H. It has not been located at its type location of Lizard Island since its description in 1893.[2][3]
Habitat
Geodorcus species on mainland New Zealand are associated with rotten logs, however there is an absence of these on Stack H. The beetle lives in a peat layer of soil, formed by the New Zealand ice plant (Disphyma australe), which it burrows into. It has also been found under rocks and in the leaf litter beneath coastal pohutukawa [2]
Diet
The feeding behaviour of this species is unknown. Adult stag beetles worldwide have mouthparts suited to feeding on liquids. Geodorcus helmsi have been seen feeding on sappy exudations on tree trunks. Rotting wood, tree roots or humus are the most common food sources for stag beetle larvae and G ithagnis lives in an environment of enriched humus.[3]
References
- ^ a b Broun, Thomas (1893). Manual of the New Zealand Coleoptera. Wellington: New Zealand Institute. p. 1108. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ a b c McGuiness, C.A. "The Conservation Requirements of New Zealand's Nationally Threatened Invertebrates" (PDF). Department of Conservation. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
- ^ a b c Holloway, B.A. "Lucanidae (Insecta: Coleoptera)" (PDF). Landcare New Zealand. Landcare Research. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
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