Biology of Platydema nigroaeneum Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Korea: Life History and Fungal Hosts

We conducted field and laboratory observations of the life histories and fungal hosts of the darklingbeetle, Platydema nigroaeneum Motschulsky. P. nigroaeneum, a fungivorous tenebrionid beetle, was a widespreadinhabitant of fungi on deciduous trees (Quercus, Salix, Alnus and Carpinus etc.) in Korea. Developmentfrom egg to adulthood took 4～11 months in nature and about 66 days in the laboratory at 25.5～26.1℃ and63.5～64.5% relative humidity. Both larvae and adults overwintered in their host fungi or beneath the bark ofthe host tree near the host fungi. Sporophores of Coriolus Quélet, Bjerkandera Karst., Daedaleopsis Schroet.and Merulius were common feeding and breeding sites in Korea.