Galapagos Species Database
The Galapagos Species Database shares the information about the species from our Natural History Collections.
Ammophorus insularis
Escarabajo tenebriónido, Darkling beetle
Scavenger; littoral, arid and transition zones; January–June, October–November; under rocks, in litter, sand washing, carrion traps, FIT, at lights; introduced to Hawaii, probably by whaling ships, and now widespread there (Peck 1997).
Domain
Eukaryota
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Suborder
Polyphaga
Superfamily
Tenebrionoidea
Family
Tenebrionidae
Section
Nyctoporini
Genus
Ammophorus
Species
insularis
Taxon category: Accepted
Origin: Endemic
Map of specimen collection localities or observation records for this species in our collections database.
Distribution: Baltra, Floreana, Isabela, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz
- Peck, S.B. (2006) The Beetles of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity (Insecta: Coleoptera) NRC Research Press, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 314 pp.
- Franz, H. (1985) Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Koleopterenfauna der Galapagos-Inseln. Österr. Akad. Wissensch. Mathem.-naturw. Kl., Abt. I, 194(1-5): 73-124.
- Linsley, E.G. Usinger, R.L. (1966) Insects of the Galápagos Islands. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Fourth Series 33(7): 113-196.
- Linsley, E.G. (1977) Insects of the Galápagos (Supplement). Occassional Papers of the Califoria Academy of Sciences 125: 1-50.
- Van Dyke, E.C. (1953) The Coleoptera of the Galapagos Islands. Occasional Papers of the California Academy of Sciences 22: 1-181.
- Kaszab, Z. (1970) Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae. Mission Zool. Belge aux îles Galapagos et en Ecuador (N. et J. Leleup, 1964-1965) 2: 183-210.
- Peck, S.B. (1997) Ammophorus insularis in Hawaii: A Galapagos Islands species immigrant to Hawaii (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 49: 26-29.
- Boheman, C.H. (1858) Coleoptera, species novas descripsit. In: Virgin CA, editor. 1858. Kongliga Svenska Fregatten Eugenies Resa omkring Jorden under befäl af C. A. Virgin, Zoologi.I. Insecta. Uppsala: Almovist & Wiksells Boktryckeri. p. 1–127.
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This page should be cited as follows:
"Galapagos Species Database, Ammophorus insularis", dataZone. Charles Darwin Foundation, https://datazone.darwinfoundation.org/en/checklist/?species=5522. Accessed 12 May 2025.