ColeopteraDascillidae – Soft-bodied Plant Beetles2 data sources

Anorus piceus

This record describes Anorus piceus (species). Recorded family: Dascillidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Anorus piceus - Anorus piceus
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Graham M , Harsi S. Parker

Wikipedia reference for Anorus piceus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anorus_piceus.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder
Polyphaga
Superfamily
Dascilloidea
Family
Dascillidae (Soft-bodied Plant Beetles)
Genus
Anorus

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

deserts & adjacent foothills

Geographic Range

so. CA

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Anorus piceus LeConte 1859

About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group

Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Anorus piceus. 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.

Explore Coleoptera families and species →

Photos of Anorus piceus (3)

Anorus piceus - photo 1
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Graham M , Harsi S. Parker
Anorus piceus - photo 2
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Graham M , Harsi S. Parker
Anorus piceus - photo 3
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Graham M , Harsi S. Parker

Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Graham M , Harsi S. Parker

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Graham M , Harsi S. Parker. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.