Aspisoma ignitum
This record describes Aspisoma ignitum (species). Recorded family: Lampyridae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
dull green in life (Santiago-Blay and Medina-Gaud 1986) In 1935, Josef N. Knull collected one spmn at Brownsville, TX (Fall 1937). This sp. has never been recollected in s. TX, not even during extensive beetle surveys across Cameron and Hidalgo counties. ( 6 ) Then in 1977, a male and female pair were collected in w. TX by Rudolph Lenczy. This is also a one-off event not repeated since, even during extensive beetle surveys by Longing et al. (2014) in Monahans Sandhills State Park. ( 7 ) In 2022, Ed Riley coll'ed a spmn on the upper coast of Texas ( 4 )
Wikipedia reference for Aspisoma ignitum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspisoma_ignitum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Elateroidea
- Family
- Lampyridae (Fireflies)
- Subfamily
- Lampyrinae
- Tribe
- Cratomorphini
- Genus
- Aspisoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
s.FL and a few widely scattered TX records / Mex. to S. Amer. / W. Indies - Map
Seasonal Activity
label data of the four TX spmns: Brownsville / V-22-35 Tex / J. N. Knull (spmn in the MCZC) TX Ward Co. / Monahans / R. Lenczy VII-77 (male and female spmns in the TAMUIC) TX Orange Co. / IV/21/2022 / E.G. Riley
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Aspisoma ignitum. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aspisoma ignitum
What is Aspisoma ignitum?
Aspisoma ignitum is a species in the family Lampyridae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Aspisoma ignitum?
11.5-15 mm (Santiago-Blay and Medina-Gaud 1986)
How do you identify Aspisoma ignitum?
dull green in life (Santiago-Blay and Medina-Gaud 1986)
Where is Aspisoma ignitum found?
Range: s.FL and a few widely scattered TX records / Mex. to S. Amer. / W. Indies - Map
When is Aspisoma ignitum active?
Aspisoma ignitum: seasonal activity - label data of the four TX spmns: Brownsville / V-22-35 Tex / J. N. Knull (spmn in the MCZC) TX Ward Co. / Monahans / R. Lenczy VII-77 (male and female spmns in the TAMUIC) TX Orange Co. / IV/21/2022 / E.G. Riley.