Diagnose : Corps allongé, assez convexe, en entier jaune-orangé avec la tête noire. Le pronotum et les élytres portent un dessin noir d'extension variable formé de lignes longitudinales et de taches obliques. La pubescence claire assez longue donne un aspect soyeux à toute la face supérieure. Les antennes courtes et robustes dépassent à peine le bord postérieur du pronotum. Les griffes portent une longue soie basale et le 4e article tarsal est lamellé. La larve est filiforme et cylindrique (de type "ver fil-de-fer"), jaune orangée avec la tête et le dernier segment plus colorés.
Identification : Très difficile.
Confusions possibles : Drasterius bimaculatus, de même stature et de même mode de vie, a le pronotum toujours foncé.
Périodes d'observation (adultes) : Mai à juillet mais peut être trouvé toute l'année en hibernation sous les écorces déhiscentes ou sous les détritus végétaux.
Biologie-éthologie : La larve est terricole de même que l'adulte qui est nocturne et se dissimule sous les pierres et les débris végétaux pendant la journée.
Biogéographie-écologie : Zones littorales et marécages de la région méditerranéenne, d'Asie Mineure et d'Asie Centrale.
Références : Leseigneur L., 1972. Coléoptères Elateridae de la faune de France continentale et de Corse. Bulletin mensuel de la Société Linnéenne de Lyon (supplément au numéro de février 1972) 41 : 1-381.
The map presents a summary at the 10 x 10 km grid of the observation data for the species transmitted to the SINP. These data have been subjected to validation filters.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Current distribution in metropolitan France
The map presents a reference distribution layer of the species at the scale of departments and marine sectors. The presence and absence data were established by expertise within a network of partners. This reference distribution is used in the validation process of the SINP data at the INPN level.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Certain presence
Corresponds to a report on the basis of at least one observation proved within a period of 10 years (20 years for little-known invertebrates) preceding the year and no presumption of extinction since obtaining the last data nor doubt on reproductive and implemented nature of this population. For migratory species, the presence indicated concerns areas of reproduction.
Probable presence
This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
search of species incomplete but presence of supportive environments;
ecology of the species consistent with the hypothesis of his presence;
the last reliable sighting is older than 10 years compared to the reference date, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [vertebrates, invertebrates and plants well studied (rhopalocera, grasshoppers, dragonflies ...)] ;
the last reliable observation being older than 20 years, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [poorly known taxa: fungus, many invertebrates...].
Probable or certain absence
This point covers the absence, more difficult by nature to demonstrate than presence. This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
intensive but unsuccessful targeted research;
lack of adequate environments;
unobserved species while its presence is easily detected;
unlikely presence for historical or biogeographical reasons.
This status must be assigned to a department in which the presence of the species is casual.
Absence due to a proven extinction
Particular case of absence due to a proven extinction less than a half century ago (older disappearances are treated as "no probable or definite").
No information
In the state of knowledge, we can not comment on the presence or absence in the current department. This is the default status when not comprised in one of the previous categories or whenever there is doubt.