ColeopteraTenebrionidae – Darkling Beetles

Armalia texana

This record describes Armalia texana (species). Recorded family: Tenebrionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Armalia texana - Armalia texana — Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn

common at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Cameron Co. ( 3 ) ; uncommon in c.TX (Brazos Co.), comes to lights (=v=)

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
Family: Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles)
Subfamily: Pimeliinae
Tribe: Edrotini
Genus: Armalia

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

s. TX to Brazos River - Map

About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group

Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Armalia texana. 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.

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