Byrrhus americanus
This record describes Byrrhus americanus (species). Recorded family: Byrrhidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Byrrhus americanus is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae. It is found in North America.
Wikipedia reference for Byrrhus americanus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byrrhus americanus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Byrrhoidea
- Family
- Byrrhidae (Pill Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Byrrhinae
- Tribe
- Byrrhini
- Genus
- Byrrhus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
LB-MB south to NJ-IN-SD
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Byrrhus americanus. 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 Byrrhus americanus (2)
Photo credits: (c) David Turgeon, all rights reserved, uploaded by David Turgeon | Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by v belov