# Tachinus corticinus The Tachinus corticinus is a small beetle that loves to hide under tree bark. It has a shiny body and is often found in forests or gardens, helping to break down decaying wood. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Tachinus corticinus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tachinus_corticinus_up.jpg&width=800) Photo: Siga, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tachinus_corticinus_up.jpg) ## Appearance The Tachinus corticinus is a small, slender rove beetle, typically dark brown to black with reddish-brown legs and antennae. Its most distinguishing feature is its very short wing covers (elytra) that leave most of its segmented abdomen exposed, giving it an elongated, tapered appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Staphylinidae - **Genus:** Tachinus ## Interesting facts - Baby Tachinus corticinus look like tiny worms but are speedy predators, just like their parents! - Even with short wing covers, this beetle is a powerful flyer, soaring through the forest! - If disturbed, it can raise its tail like a scorpion, which might scare away predators! - These beetles are like little clean-up crews, helping to break down dead things in nature. ## Special abilities - **Speedy Scuttler:** Tachinus corticinus can dart away quickly because of its agile body and long legs, helping them escape predators in a flash. - **Hidden Wings:** Tachinus corticinus has special folded wings tucked under its short wing covers that help them take flight instantly. - **Nature's Recycler:** Tachinus corticinus has a diet including decaying matter, helping them break down organic material and clean the forest. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 8-14 mm - **Size:** 4-7 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 7 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This beetle is an omnivore, munching on decaying plants and tiny insects found in forest debris. - **Primary Foods:** decaying plant matter, fungi, small insect larvae, mites, springtails, nematodes - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** springtail (*Folsomia candida*) — Hunts these tiny arthropods in leaf litter. - **Eaten by:** [common shrew](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-shrew) (*Sorex araneus*) — Can be prey for shrews foraging on the forest floor. - **Eaten by:** [ground beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ground-beetle) (*Carabus nemoralis*) — Larger predatory ground beetles may hunt them. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These beetles are harmless, but it's best to look at them without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tachinus corticinus? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Tachinus corticinus's wingspan? 8-14 mm ### How big is Tachinus corticinus? 4-7 mm ### How long does Tachinus corticinus live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Tachinus corticinus fly? 7 km/h ### What does Tachinus corticinus eat? This beetle is an omnivore, munching on decaying plants and tiny insects found in forest debris. ### Where is Tachinus corticinus usually found? Forests ### How does Tachinus corticinus hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Tachinus corticinus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tachinus-corticinus)