Bledius semiferrugineus
This record describes Bledius semiferrugineus (species). Recorded family: Staphylinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Chestnut-brown, shining, elytia paler, legs yellow-brown. |
| Head | Head coarsely punctured, with a smooth space on the vertex, in the middle of which is a large deep puncture. Prothorax nearly globose, truncate in front, coarsely rather densely punctured, dorsal line deep. |
| Elytra | Elytra deeply and rather densely, but not coarsely punctured. separated from all the other members of the semiferrugineus group by the combination of the following characters: The dorsum of the head (fig. 328) and pronotum (figs. 330, 343) are coarsely and deeply punctate, and the integument of the pronotum is polished between the punctures (fig. 450) because it lacks microgranulate ground sculpturing. The pronotal midlongitudinal groove is well developed (figs. 330, 343). Bledius foraminosus [western sp.] is the only other species of this group with coarse punctation on the dorsum of the head (compare fig. 327), but the species is readily separated from the males of B. semiferrugineus by the more shallow emargination of the seventh sternite (compare fig. 396 with fig. 400), and from the females by the presence of microgranulate ground sculpturing between the punctures of the pronotum. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Staphylinoidea
- Family
- Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Oxytelinae
- Tribe
- Blediini
- Genus
- Bledius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. NA (QC-s.FL to se.SD-se.TX) - Map , common: 321 spmns , TX records from coastal plains
Seasonal Activity
year round in Florida, from April-October in the rest of the US and Canada.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Bledius semiferrugineus. 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 Bledius semiferrugineus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Brad Barnd; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Bledius semiferrugineus
What is Bledius semiferrugineus?
Bledius semiferrugineus is a species in the family Staphylinidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Bledius semiferrugineus?
4-7 mm
How do you identify Bledius semiferrugineus?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Chestnut-brown, shining, elytia paler, legs yellow-brown. |
| Head | Head coarsely punctured, with a smooth space on the vertex, in the middle of which is a large deep puncture. Prothorax nearly globose, truncate in front, coarsely rather densely punctured, dorsal line deep. |
| Elytra | Elytra deeply and rather densely, but not coarsely punctured. separated from all the other members of the semiferrugineus group by the combination of the following characters: The dorsum of the head (fig. 328) and pronotum (figs. 330, 343) are coarsely and deeply punctate, and the integument of the pronotum is polished between the punctures (fig. 450) because it lacks microgranulate ground sculpturing. The pronotal midlongitudinal groove is well developed (figs. 330, 343). Bledius foraminosus [western sp.] is the only other species of this group with coarse punctation on the dorsum of the head (compare fig. 327), but the species is readily separated from the males of B. semiferrugineus by the more shallow emargination of the seventh sternite (compare fig. 396 with fig. 400), and from the females by the presence of microgranulate ground sculpturing between the punctures of the pronotum. |
Where is Bledius semiferrugineus found?
Range: e. NA (QC-s.FL to se.SD-se.TX) - Map , common: 321 spmns , TX records from coastal plains
When is Bledius semiferrugineus active?
Bledius semiferrugineus: seasonal activity - year round in Florida, from April-October in the rest of the US and Canada..