Ataenius platensis
This record describes Ataenius platensis (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Ataenius sp. nr. platensis (Blanchard) Det. Paul Skelley, 2009 Type Locality: Argenina
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Aphodiinae
- Tribe
- Eupariini
- Genus
- Ataenius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
se.US (TX-FL-NC-OK) and rarely to s.CA / Mex. to Argentina / W. Indies - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults occasionally collected in cow dung, but that may not be the preferred larval food
Life History
attracted to lights, often extremely abundant; there seems to be a connection between human activities and its abundance
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "OXYOME DE LA PLATA" ( Blanchard, 1847 ). La Plata is the capital city of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, which is near the Río de la Plata ('River of Silver').
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Ataenius platensis. 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 Ataenius platensis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Ataenius platensis
What is Ataenius platensis?
Ataenius platensis is a species in the family Scarabaeidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Ataenius platensis?
3–5 mm
How do you identify Ataenius platensis?
Ataenius sp. nr. platensis (Blanchard) Det. Paul Skelley, 2009
Where is Ataenius platensis found?
Range: se.US (TX-FL-NC-OK) and rarely to s.CA / Mex. to Argentina / W. Indies - Map
What does Ataenius platensis eat?
The diet of the Ataenius platensis includes Adults occasionally collected in cow dung, but that may not be the preferred larval food.
What is the life cycle of a Ataenius platensis?
attracted to lights, often extremely abundant; there seems to be a connection between human activities and its abundance