Apteromechus texanus
This record describes Apteromechus texanus (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Type Locality: Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas Texas considers this a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cryptorhynchinae
- Tribe
- Cryptorhynchini
- Genus
- Apteromechus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Known Range: Brownsville area of Texas (Cameron County). Whitehead (1979) suggests that the material cited as " A. ferratus (Say)" by Champion (1906) from Tampico, Mexico (Veracruz) is probably conspecific with A. texanus . O’Brien and Wibmer (1982) list the range of this species as Arkansas and Texas. The Arkansas record seems unlikely, and the source for this record is not given. We now have a BG record from ne TX, so the species' range extending to AR seems likely, and as such this sp. should be dropped from TPWD's SGCN list...
Seasonal Activity
Number of compiled Texas collecting events by month: April, May, June, July, August, October.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Apteromechus texanus Fall 1925
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Apteromechus texanus. 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 Apteromechus texanus (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Apteromechus texanus
What is Apteromechus texanus?
Apteromechus texanus is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Apteromechus texanus?
Body is 2.9 to 3.4 mm in length, 1.3 to 1.6 mm in maximum width at mid-length of the elytra.
Where is Apteromechus texanus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Range | Known |
| Range | Brownsville area of Texas (Cameron County). Whitehead (1979) suggests that the material cited as A. ferratus (Say) by Champion (1906) from Tampico, Mexico (Veracruz) is probably conspecific with A. texanus . O’Brien and Wibmer (1982) list the range of this species as Arkansas and Texas. The Arkansas record seems unlikely, and the source for this record is not given. We now have a BG record from ne TX, so the species' range extending to AR seems likely, and as such this sp. should be dropped from TPWD's SGCN list... |
When is Apteromechus texanus active?
Apteromechus texanus: seasonal activity - Number of compiled Texas collecting events by month: April, May, June, July, August, October..