Trilobite Beetle (genus Platerodrilus) on the floor : (pix Sanjiv Shukla) cover photo - 308941127

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Photo title: Trilobite Beetle (genus Platerodrilus) on the floor : (pix Sanjiv Shukla)
Author: Sshukla2022

Cover photo description:
Trilobite beetle is a beetle belonging to the genus Platerodrilus in the family Lycidae. Its females retain a larval form as adults (larviform females) and are about 40–80 mm in length. Females and larvae have a flattened, dark body with large scales over the head, resembling trilobites, hence the informal names trilobite beetle, trilobite larva or Sumatran trilobite larva. In contrast, the males are much smaller, 8–9 mm, resembling other beetles. Species are found in tropical rainforests of India and South-east Asia.

trilobite beetle genus platerodrilus family lycidae females larval form larviform larvae flattened dark body large scales head trilobites larva sumatran tropical rainforests india south east asia cosmopolitan distribution elongated beetles nectarivorus triangular long serrated antennae brick red colour predators toxic predaceous bark leaf litter males small big order coleoptera insect hardened front wings pair wing cases elytra ecosystems plants fungi invertebrates agricultural pests hard exoskeleton metamorphosis pupal stage camouflage forewings mandibles appendages