The tar darkling beetles (Somaticus) are an Afrotropical genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae). Adults are omnivorous scavengers, and the larvae, known as false wireworms, feed on plant roots.[2] The larvae of several species are known to damage maize crops.[3] The adults are matte black with longitudinal ridges on the pronotum and elytra, and may be covered in hairs of different colours.[2]
Species include:
Somaticus aeneus Solier, 1843
Somaticus angulatus (Fahraeus)
Somaticus cinctus Haag-Rutenberg, 1873
Somaticus damarinus (Peringuey, 1904)
Somaticus distinctus Peringuey, 1892
Somaticus geniculatus
Somaticus haagi Peringuey, 1886
Somaticus metropolis
Somaticus spinosus Solier, 1843
Somaticus terricola
Somaticus vestitus
Somaticus wahlbergi Haag-Rutenberg, 1873
^Cite error: The named reference Hope, 1840 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abPicker, M.; et al. (2004). Field guide to Insects of South Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 232. ISBN 978-1-77007-061-5.
^Drinkwater, T.W. (1991). "Morphology of and key to the larvae of six somaticus spp coleoptera tenebrionidae". Journal of African Zoology. 105 (6): 509–536.