Dasytes tristicula

Dasytes tristicula is a species of beetles belonging to the family Melyridae.^[1] The species name is frequently misspelled as "tristiculus" in the literature.^[2]

Dasytes tristicula
Dasytes tristicula. Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Melyridae
Genus:	Dasytes
Species:	D. tristicula
Binomial name
Dasytes tristicula Mulsant & Rey, 1868
Synonyms
Dasytes (Hypodasytes) sublaevis Mulsant & Rey, 1868 Dasytes (Hypodasytes) occiduus Mulsant & Rey, 1870 Dasytes (Hypodasytes) mulsanti Schilsky, 1894 Dasytes (Hypodasytes) baudii Jacobson, 1913

Distribution

This Mediterranean species is present in France, Italy and Spain.^[3]

Description

Dasytes tristicula can reach a body length of about 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in). These small black beetles have long erect black pubescence over the entire surface of the elytra and pronotum. The females usually show a broad transversal band of lighter pubescence anteriorly.^[4]

Phenology

Adults can be found from April to June.^[5]