Melanophila


Melanophila is a genus of buprestid beetles commonly known as fire beetles. They have extraordinary sensitivity to infrared radiation, using a specialized sensor organ near their legs. They seek out fires in order to mate and lay eggs in freshly burned wood.

Species

The genus Melanophila consists of the following species:
  • Melanophila acuminata
  • Melanophila atra Gory, 1841
  • Melanophila atropurpurea
  • Melanophila caudata
  • Melanophila consputa LeConte, 1857
  • Melanophila cockerellae Wickham, 1912
  • Melanophila coriacea Kerremans, 1894
  • Melanophila cuspidata
  • Melanophila gestroi Obenberger, 1923
  • Melanophila handlirschi Wickham, 1912
  • Melanophila heeri Wickham, 1914
  • Melanophila ignicola Champion, 1918
  • Melanophila notata
  • Melanophila obscurata Lewis, 1893
  • Melanophila occidentalis Obenberger, 1928
  • Melanophila unicolor Gory, 1841