Rain Beetles (Pleocomidae) are among the most fascinating groups of beetles due to their enigmatic nature and relatively tiny geographic range. About 30 species of these beetles all reside within a single genus (Pleocoma), and range only from the extreme south of the state of Washington to extreme northern Baja California. All species are active only following the period immediately after ...more ↓
Rain Beetles (Pleocomidae) are among the most fascinating groups of beetles due to their enigmatic nature and relatively tiny geographic range. About 30 species of these beetles all reside within a single genus (Pleocoma), and range only from the extreme south of the state of Washington to extreme northern Baja California. All species are active only following the period immediately after or during Fall and Winter precipitation events, and most are found at higher elevations.
In part due to their emergence schedule and conditions, and also due to individuals' sensitivities in divulging their occurrence, very little is known about this family of beetles at the present time. In most species, almost nothing is known about their natural histories, save for some knowledge of their host plant preferences and rough occurrence schedules, but it is quite possible that whole species are yet to be discovered, and in fact there may be significant opportunity for revision within their current taxonomic hierarchy.
This project seeks to catalog the records of occurrence to hopefully play a role in all of us being able to fill the many knowledge gaps that currently exist, and to raise awareness of this group of beetles among citizen scientists to promote their further study.
To provide the most complete and useful observations to our understanding of these beetles, please strive to include the following details along with your observations:
- Exact time and date of observation
- Precipitation Notes (such as amount of precip before discovery and whether this is the first measurable/substantial rainfall locally of the season (if known))
- Conditions at time of discovery (raining, snowing, clear, etc)
- Habitat
- Elevation
- If under a light, which type? (black/UV, white, mercury vapor, etc)
- Any other interesting notes you think may or may not be important!
I look forward to your contributions to this project and our overall understanding of this group of beetles!
Jay Keller
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Interesting Articles and References Pertaining to Rain Beetles
Overview of Rain Beetles
The Biology of Rain Beetles
The Earliest Known Species of the Genus Pleocoma LeConte (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Pleocomidae) from the Mesozoic of China
The Scarabaeoid Beetles of San Diego County (with notes on Pleocoma)
Early Days of Pleocoma Collecting
Temperature Regulation, Energy Metabolism and Mate-searching in Rain Beetles
A New Species of Pleocoma from California
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Rain Beetles (Pleocomidae)
