Aplotarsus incanus
This record describes Aplotarsus incanus (species). Recorded family: Elateridae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length: 7 to 8.5 mm. Dull black and elongate with a fine pubescence. Legs are brown. The pronotum is very finely punctuated (denser in males). Elytral punctures larger than those on the pronotum and very dense - running into each other. The frons (between the eyes) is relatively flat. Damp grassland, marshes, pond edges, etc. Larvae feed on grass roots, the adults on grasses, rushes and willows. Fairly frequent in Britain mainly in the more central areas.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Family
- Elateridae
- Genus
- Aplotarsus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Damp grassland, marshes, pond edges, etc.
Seasonal Activity
April to July
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae feed on grass roots, the adults on grasses, rushes and willows.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent in Britain mainly in the more central areas.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Aplotarsus incanus. 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 Aplotarsus incanus (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Aplotarsus incanus
What is Aplotarsus incanus?
Aplotarsus incanus is a species in the family Elateridae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Aplotarsus incanus?
7 to 8.5 mm. Dull black and elongate with a fine pubescence. Legs are brown. The pronotum is very finely punctuated (denser in males). Elytral punctures larger than those on the pronotum and very dense - running into each other. The frons (between the eyes) is relatively flat.
Where is Aplotarsus incanus found?
Habitat: Damp grassland, marshes, pond edges, etc.
When is Aplotarsus incanus active?
Aplotarsus incanus: seasonal activity - April to July.
What is the life cycle of a Aplotarsus incanus?
Larvae feed on grass roots, the adults on grasses, rushes and willows.