Athous bicolor
This record describes Athous bicolor (species). Recorded family: Elateridae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Size 8 to 10 mm. Quite an elongated species. The elytra are brown in colour with ridges and pits running down their length. The pronotum is slightly darker. The hairs are very similar in colour to the elytra. The legs and antennae are unicolourous with the rest of the insect and the antennae are very long, extending far beyond the posterior edge of the pronotum. A Grassland species. It can be found resting on grass stems and flowers of Umbellifers in the afternoon until dusk and by beating branches of Oak, Willow and a range of shrub species. Adult insects appear from June to July and August. The larvae develops underground, feeding on the roots of a range of grass species. Widespread and fairly frequent in Wales and England up to East Yorkshire. One or two isolated and historical records from central Scotland.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Elateroidea
- Family
- Elateridae (Click Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Dendrometrinae
- Tribe
- Dendrometrini
- Genus
- Athous
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
A Grassland species. It can be found resting on grass stems and flowers of Umbellifers in the afternoon until dusk and by beating branches of Oak, Willow and a range of shrub species.
Seasonal Activity
Adult insects appear from June to July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae develops underground, feeding on the roots of a range of grass species.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly frequent in Wales and England up to East Yorkshire. One or two isolated and historical records from central Scotland.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Athous bicolor. 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 Athous bicolor (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Athous bicolor
What is Athous bicolor?
Athous bicolor is a species in the family Elateridae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Athous bicolor?
8 to 10 mm. Quite an elongated species. The elytra are brown in colour with ridges and pits running down their length. The pronotum is slightly darker. The hairs are very similar in colour to the elytra. The legs and antennae are unicolourous with the rest of the insect and the antennae are very long, extending far beyond the posterior edge of the pronotum.
Where is Athous bicolor found?
Habitat: A Grassland species. It can be found resting on grass stems and flowers of Umbellifers in the afternoon until dusk and by beating branches of Oak, Willow and a range of shrub species.
When is Athous bicolor active?
Athous bicolor: seasonal activity - Adult insects appear from June to July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Athous bicolor?
The larvae develops underground, feeding on the roots of a range of grass species.