Cryptarcha ampla

Sap-Feeding Beetle



Cryptarcha ampla, Sap-Feeding Beetle photo

Family: Nitidulidae

Subfamily: Cryptarchinae

Length: 5.0-7.5 mm

 

Cryptarcha ampla feeds at sap flows on trees, and on fungi. Adults may also fly to lights, as the one pictured here did.

Some collection records indicate this species is associated with Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga canadensis. Another record was of a beetle reared from the stem of Common Milkweed.

A study in Japan showed that Cryptarcha beetle numbers increased at a particular sap flow when the dominant wasp species was removed.

Members of this genus have a pronotum that is basally margined, overlapping the base of the elytra somewhat.

Cryptarcha ampla range map

A note about our maps


 

Insects of West Virginia