Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) ➔ Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods) ➔ Class Insecta (Insects) ➔ Order Coleoptera (Beetles) ➔ Family Ptinidae (Death-watch and Spider Beetles)

Ptinus (Gynopterus) sexpunctatus Panzer, 1789

Sechspunkt-Diebskäfer Six-spotted Spider Beetle

  • Ptinus sexpunctatus 8268
    Ptinus sexpunctatus Panzer, 1789  Sechspunkt-Diebskäfer  Six-spotted Spider Beetle 
    Ptinus sexpunctatus, conf. Christoph Benisch
    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf; 2018-06-04 15:04:10
    Image number: 8268

    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
    2018-06-04 15:04:10
    conf. Christoph Benisch
  • Ptinus sexpunctatus 8269
    Ptinus sexpunctatus Panzer, 1789  Sechspunkt-Diebskäfer  Six-spotted Spider Beetle 
    Ptinus sexpunctatus, conf. Christoph Benisch
    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf; 2018-06-04 15:03:35
    Image number: 8269

    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
    2018-06-04 15:03:35
    conf. Christoph Benisch
  • Ptinus sexpunctatus 11055
    Ptinus sexpunctatus Panzer, 1789  Sechspunkt-Diebskäfer  Six-spotted Spider Beetle 
    Ptinus sexpunctatus, conf. Christoph Benisch
    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf; 2023-08-22 14:09:33
    Image number: 11055

    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
    2023-08-22 14:09:33
    conf. Christoph Benisch
  • Ptinus sexpunctatus 11056
    Ptinus sexpunctatus Panzer, 1789  Sechspunkt-Diebskäfer  Six-spotted Spider Beetle 
    Ptinus sexpunctatus, conf. Christoph Benisch
    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf; 2023-08-22 18:28:36
    Image number: 11056

    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
    2023-08-22 18:28:36
    conf. Christoph Benisch

Classification:
Ptinus sexpunctatus belongs to the subfamily Ptininae.
Distribution:
Europe to North Russia, introduced to North America.
Habitat:
In rotten wood of deciduous trees and pines; often in old bee nests; in cold areas, also in buildings.
Description:
The predominantly dark brown, bristly-hairy Six-spotted Spider Beetle Ptinus sexpunctatus has a body length of 2.8 - 4.2 mm. On the elytra there are 3 white spots each, one behind the shoulder and two somewhat smaller, oval ones, which often converge to a transverse band. The forehead is densely covered with white hairs.
Biology:
The Six-spotted Spider Beetle Ptinus sexpunctatus belongs to the xylobiotic beetle species. It lives from the remains of other wood inhabitants, especially from those of hymenopterans.
In spring Ptinus sexpunctatus prefers abandoned nests of mason bees (Osmia) and leaf-cutter bees (Megachile) for laying eggs. After hatching, the larvae of Ptinus sexpunctatus live as commensals. Among other things, they feed on the remains of collecting and moulting and on excrements of the original nest inhabitants. After feeding, the adult larvae pupate in a previously built cocoon. After hatching the adults live a few months.
Beetles of this species were found not only in bee nests, but also in wasp, ant and bird nests, as well as in buildings.

References, further reading, links:
  1. Arved Lompe: Die Käfer Europas - Ein Bestimmungswerk im Internet
  2. R. W. Howe, H. D. Burges: Studies on Beetles of the Family Ptinidae. VI.—The Biology of Ptinus fur (L.) and P. sexpunctatus Panzer (Extract), Bulletin of Entomological Research, Volume 42, Issue 3, November 1951 , pp. 499-511, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485300028893