About Iphthiminus serratus (Mannerheim, 1843)
Iphthiminus serratus is a species of darkling beetle that belongs to the subfamily Tenebrioninae. Originally, Iphthiminus sublaevis and Iphthiminus salebrosus were classified as subspecies of Iphthiminus serratus, based on the observation of minor geographic variation between the forms. Since this variation is gradual rather than distinct, both are now recognized as synonyms of Iphthiminus serratus. This species occurs primarily in western North America, with confirmed records from California, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and British Columbia. Like other darkling beetles in the genus Iphthiminus, Iphthiminus serratus is closely associated with rotting coniferous logs, particularly rotting pine wood. In captive observations recorded by the Invertebrate Dude, Iphthiminus serratus was seen eating both chick feed and rotting wood.
