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''Drilus flavescens'' is a species of ''beetles'' belonging to the family Drilidae. This insect is mainly present in Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Switzerland. ''Drilus flavescens'' is one of the most extreme cases of sexual dimorphism in insects. The females of this beetle look like a caterpillar – so called larviforme females – completely lacking of wings and other adult characters. They live on the ground in the shells of snails (frequently ''Fruticicola fruticum'' (F. Müller, 1774 )), feeding of the inhabitants, previously killed with a poisonous bite and sucked in with the help of digestive enzymes. The eggs are laid in the soil under the litter and the young larvae of this beetle are covered with hairs. They are predators of land shell-bearing snails. Upon reaching its maximum size (about 20 mm) the larva chooses a snail shell in which to pupates. By clinging to the shell by the suction cup it on the terminal segment of the abdomen, she bites the snail for him inject paralyzing venom then liquefies the flesh by digestive enzymes. There, it will double in volume. The prey is not completely digested. It follows a putrid and smelly spray that does not seem to bother the larva. It plunges headlong into the shell. Being very vulnerable at this stage, this may be a way to repel its own predators. Once installed, the larva undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes soft. The legs are reduced and the hair largely disappear. This secondary larvae will overwinter in the snail shell. The adult males are approximately long. They have long comb-shaped antennas, probably utilized for detecting pheromones of females. Head and pronotum are black, while elytra are reddish, quite soft and covered of fine upstanding hairs. It can be encountered on flowers and foliage. ==External links== * (Biolib ) * (Fauna europaea ) * (Delta-intkey ) 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Drilus flavescens」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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