The Coleoptera Histeridae of the Mascarene Islands.
Gomy Y.
Author Affiliation: Résidence Le Tour de Marne, 94340 Joinville-le-Pont, France.
Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale 'Giacomo Doria' 84 : 269-348
Abstract : Notes are given on 32 species of Histeridae, belonging to 15 genera, which are recorded from the Mascarene Islands (Reunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues), and of which the geographical distribution and probable origin is discussed. Most of them fed on decaying organic matter, including dead and dying coconut palm, mango and forest trees, human and animal excreta and dead bodies fish and other small animals. Exceptions were predators, such as Hypocaccus brasiliensis (Payk.), which preyed on larval Diptera feeding in decomposing animal matter; Carcinops troglodytes (Payk.), which preyed on the larvae of Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) in imported grain stored in warehouses of ports; and Plaesius javanus Erichs., which was introduced into Mauritius for the biological control of Cosmopolites sordidus (Germ.) on banana. Several species were found in sheepfolds and chicken houses.