Brown Chafer

Serica brunnea

This record describes Serica brunnea (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.

Identification and Appearance

8 to 10 mm. Entirely brown, but the head between the eyes is a darker brown. Head, thorax and elytra are punctate. Locally fairly frequent across England, Wales and southern Scotland.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Serica

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

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Often found in sandy and chalky areas.

Seasonal Activity

Peak time is July and August.

Additional species information

Recorded status

Locally fairly frequent across England, Wales and southern Scotland.

About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group

Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Serica brunnea. 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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