Vetch Bruchid
Bruchus brachialis
This record describes Bruchus brachialis (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
pattern: mottled with fine pale spots, the only conspicous a prescutellar on pronotum. male frontlegs inflated (name!), antennae all yellow in male, mostly dark on female, terminal segment frequently red again. Det. Brad Barnd, 2013 (from spmn) Det. Boris Büche, 2022 earliest record in our area: 1931 (NJ-MD)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Bruchinae
- Tribe
- Bruchini
- Genus
- Bruchus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
adventive to NA - Map , native to w. Palaearctic
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Lathyrus sativus, Vicia (especially V. villosa )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Bruchus brachialis Fåhraeus 1839
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Bruchus brachialis. 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 Vetch Bruchid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , Boris Bueche , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Vetch Bruchid
What is Vetch Bruchid?
Vetch Bruchid (Bruchus brachialis) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Vetch Bruchid?
2.5–2.9 mm (smaller than the other two congeners in NA)
How do you identify Vetch Bruchid?
pattern: mottled with fine pale spots, the only conspicous a prescutellar on pronotum. male frontlegs inflated (name!), antennae all yellow in male, mostly dark on female, terminal segment frequently red again. Det. Brad Barnd, 2013 (from spmn) Det. Boris Büche, 2022
Where is Vetch Bruchid found?
Range: adventive to NA - Map , native to w. Palaearctic
What does Vetch Bruchid eat?
The diet of the Vetch Bruchid includes hosts: Lathyrus sativus, Vicia (especially V. villosa ).