Beaver Beetle

Beaver Beetle

 

(Platypsyllus castoris), the only representative of the family of beetles Platypsyllidae, closely related to the carrion beetles. They lead a parasitic existence on beavers. The beaver beetle ranges in Europe and America. The similarity between the structure of some organs of this beetle (the antennae and the crest on the head) and corresponding organs of the flea is an interesting example of convergent evolution.

References in periodicals archive ?
Observation of a beaver beetle (Platypsyllus castoris Ritsema) on a North American river otter (Lontra canadensis Schrcber) (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Lutrinae) in Sacramento County, California (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Platypsyllinae).
Distribution and biology of the ectoparasitic beaver beetle Platypsyllus castoris Ritsema in North America (Coleoptera: Lciodidae: Platypsyllinae).
A new record of the parasitic beaver beetle (Platypsyllus castoris) from Texas
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