Tefflus

Tefflus is a genus of large, black and flightless Afrotropical ground beetles in the tribe Panagaeini. They are broadly similar to the Anthiini ('oogpisters'), but are not colourful, and have a six-sided and flattish pronotum. The distinct longitudinal carinae (ridges) on their elytra are separated by two rows of punctures running along the striae (grooves). Males have some segments of the forelegs enlarged.

Tefflus
T. zebulianus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Suborder:
Adephaga
Family:
Carabidae
Tribe:
Panagaeini
Genus:
Tefflus

Leach, 1819

They are solitary and mostly nocturnal hunters, that move about at a brisk pace. They have strong mandibles that can inflict a serious bite, and prey on a variety of invertebrates.[1] The last revision of the genus was undertaken in 1946.

Species

Some 14 to 15 species are native to the Afrotropics:[2]

  • Tefflus angustipes Kolbe, 1903
  • Tefflus brevicostatus Quedenfeldt, 1883
  • Tefflus camerunus Kolbe, 1903
  • Tefflus carinatus Klug, 1853 – Malawi, South Africa (length: c.26–37 mm)
  • Tefflus hamiltonii Bates, 1871
  • Tefflus juvenilis Gerstaecker, 1871
  • Tefflus kilimanus Kolbe, 1897
  • Tefflus meyerlei (Fabricius, 1801) – South Africa (length: c.39–54 mm)
  • Tefflus muata Harold, 1878
  • Tefflus purpureipennis Quedenfeldt, 1883
  • Tefflus raffrayi Chaudoir, 1874
  • Tefflus tenuicollis Fairmaire, 1894
  • Tefflus viridanus Kolbe, 1897
  • Tefflus zanzibaricus Kolbe, 1886
  • Tefflus zebulianus Raffray, 1882

References
  1. Morris, Brian (2006). Insects and Human Life. Berg. p. 244. ISBN 9781845209490.
  2. "Tefflus Leach, 1819 AFR". Carabidae of the World. 2011. Retrieved 20 Jul 2011.

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