Allandrus populi
This record describes Allandrus populi (species). Recorded family: Anthribidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
There are undescribed species out west which look very similar (and which I have not been able to work out). Males have much longer antennae; in A. bifasciatus antennae are even longer (in some males, longer than the body). (Barry Valentine' comment)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Anthribidae (Fungus Weevils)
- Subfamily
- Anthribinae
- Tribe
- Stenocerini
- Genus
- Allandrus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Northern transcontinental and western montane (YT‒CA‒n.AZ to ON‒ME)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae mine under the thin outermost bark of aspen, feeding on isolated small lumps of a black, hard, pyrenomycete fungus and leave a trail from lump to lump but there is no external sign of their presence (the more common eastern A. bifasciatus LeC. does the same in the bark of Tilia (Barry Valentine' comment)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Allandrus populi Pierce 1930
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Allandrus populi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Allandrus populi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Allandrus populi
What is Allandrus populi?
Allandrus populi is a species in the family Anthribidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Allandrus populi?
There are undescribed species out west which look very similar (and which I have not been able to work out). Males have much longer antennae; in A. bifasciatus antennae are even longer (in some males, longer than the body). (Barry Valentine' comment)
Where is Allandrus populi found?
Range: Northern transcontinental and western montane (YT‒CA‒n.AZ to ON‒ME)
What does Allandrus populi eat?
The diet of the Allandrus populi includes Larvae mine under the thin outermost bark of aspen, feeding on isolated small lumps of a black, hard, pyrenomycete fungus and leave a trail from lump to lump but there is no external sign of their presence (the more common eastern A. bifasciatus LeC. does the same in the bark of Tilia (Barry Valentine' comment).