Somaticus Explained

The tar darkling beetles (Somaticus) are an Afrotropical genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae). Adults are omnivorous scavengers, and the larvae, known as false wireworms, feed on plant roots.^[1] The larvae of several species are known to damage maize crops.^[2] The adults are matte black with longitudinal ridges on the pronotum and elytra, and may be covered in hairs of different colours.^[1]

Species include:

• Somaticus aeneus Solier, 1843
• Somaticus angulatus (Fahraeus)
• Somaticus cinctus Haag-Rutenberg, 1873
• Somaticus damarinus (Peringuey, 1904)
• Somaticus distinctus Peringuey, 1892
• Somaticus geniculatus
• Somaticus haagi Peringuey, 1886
• Somaticus metropolis
• Somaticus spinosus Solier, 1843
• Somaticus terricola
• Somaticus vestitus
• Somaticus wahlbergi Haag-Rutenberg, 1873

Notes and References

1. Book: Picker, M.. Field guide to Insects of South Africa . 2004 . Struik . Cape Town . 978-1-77007-061-5. 232. etal.
2. Drinkwater . T.W. . Morphology of and key to the larvae of six somaticus spp coleoptera tenebrionidae . Journal of African Zoology . 1991 . 105 . 6 . 509–536 .