Platerodrilus ngi
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Platerodrilus ngi is a species of net-winged beetle (Lycidae), which, as with other members of the genus, is considered a trilobite beetle. This common name refers to the larviform female's supposed resemblance to the extinct trilobites; in contrast, male trilobite beetles appear similar to other Lycids, being an extreme example of sexual dimorphism.
P. ngi was described in 2014 on the basis of a specimen collected in Singapore (the holotype) along with a number of other specimens from both Singapore and Pahang, Malaysia. The holotype, a male, was recovered from the Bukit Timah and Central Water Catchment locality. Morphological comparisons found P. ngi to belong in the same clade with P. major, and thus belongs within its species group.
Platerodrilus ngi is diagnosed by dark red coloration present on the pronotum and the "humeral two thirds of [its] elytra" which is distinct from another species in the same species group, P. atronotatus. Additional differences in the antennomeres and phallus further differentiate the two species. The male is 6.9 mm (0.27 in) and covered in "dense short pubescence" (setae), while females reach 30.2 mm (1.19 in) long. Females with "distended" abdomens may be gravid, though this has not been confirmed.
The specific name honors Peter Ng. The diet of Platerodrilus is thought to consist of materials found within their preferred habitat within rotting wood, which may include fungi such as basidiomycetes, slime molds, rotifers, nematodes, copepods, nauplii, and mites, along with the rotting wood itself. P. ngi may be somewhat adaptable as specimens were found in secondary forests within the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, while other species were only found in primary forests. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuala Lumpur | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | |
| 2 | Singapore | 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Platerodrilus ngi sighting in Singapore on a given day, based on 23 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 511th most-seen of the 1045 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
Any time of year
In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Platerodrilus ngi in Singapore on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.
2nd of 2
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Platerodrilus ngi sightings, Singapore ranks 2nd at under 5%. The best odds are in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Platerodrilus ngi is recorded against all the insects logged in Singapore (23 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
