Prosthetops megacephalus (Boheman, 1851)

Bilton, David T., 2013, Prosthetops wolfbergensis sp. nov. — a giant amongst the ‘ minute moss beetles’, with new data on other members of the genus (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae), Zootaxa 3666 (3), pp. 345-357 : 354

Prosthetops megacephalus (Boheman, 1851)

The species is common on Table Mountain, and adjacent areas, particularly in rockpools and seepage areas, as well as on larger rocks in streams. Most abundant in pools with some dark organic substrate.

Additional records: 19/ix/2008 Western Cape, Silvermine, gently sloping seepage over rock face beside M64 road—33, 2Ƥ; 27/ix/2008 Western Cape, Table Mountain, rockpools at head of Platteklip Gorge—abundant; 27/ ix/2009 Western Cape, Table Mountain, small stream above Valley of Isolation, river stones— 6 specimens; 27/ix/ 2008 Western Cape, Table Mountain, stream in Valley of the Red Gods—abundant on stones; 24/ix/2010 Western Cape, Table Mountain, stream in Echo Valley, ca. 800 m—abundant on stones; 24/ix/2010 Western Cape, Table Mountain, rock pools on central table below Maclear’s Beacon, 1,100 –1,200 m ( Fig. 11 A & C)—abundant; 24/ix/ 2010 Western Cape, Table Mountain, rock pools on summit close to cable car station, ca. 1,000 m ( Fig. 11 B)— abundant (adults +?larvae).

Figures

FIGURE 11. Habitats of P. megacephalus and P. nitens on Table Mountain, Western Cape, South Africa. A) – B) pools with organic silt occupied by P. megacephalus; C) small rockpools occupied by P. nitens. Photos D T Bilton.