Usechus nucleatus

Size: 5 mm         

Seasonality: Most common between July and November

Distribution; Washington, California and Oregon

Information: Found in the leaf litter and under the bark of various tree species. Can also be seen feeding on shelf fungi occasionally alongisde Phellopsis porcata.

Description: Body: elongate-oblong, moderately robust. Head, pronotum and elytra dark brown to red-brown. Elytra covered in many medium punctures, ridges and few small tubercles. Elytra with many small yellow setae on the dorsal surface, concentrated on the tubercles and ridges. Two ridges on each elytra join to form a small tubercle at the base of the pronotum. This tubercle extends over the base of the pronotum slightly. Pronotum as long as wide, covered in many medium flattened nodules and yellow setae and with two elevated carina that cross from the base of the pronotum to the apex. Lateral margins of pronotum very obvious and pronounced. Pronotum with two obvious antennal grooves on either side of the head extending slightly above the lateral margin. These grooves are open from above and are complete. Head covered in a medium amount of pits and setae. Some of these pits appear setigerous. Underside of entire body with many setigerous pores, varying in size. Appendages brown or red-brown. Tarsal formula: 5-5-4. Antennae: red-brown, clavate, 11-segmented, 3-segment club. 

Collection notes:

Has been collected from 

• Under Notholithocarpus densiflorus bark

• Under Platanus bark

• Quercus, Acer, and Conifer leaf litter