Cissites auriculata
This record describes Cissites auriculata (species). Recorded family: Meloidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
First U.S. Record TEXAS: Brewster Co., Big Bend Nat'l Park, 1988
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Meloidae (Blister Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Nemognathinae
- Genus
- Cissites
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
w. & s. TX to Panama / W. Indies - Map
Seasonal Activity
Jan. to Jun. in TX (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larval hosts: large carpenter bees ( Xylocopa , Apidae) ( 3 ) adults are aphagous ( 3 ) (lack the ability to feed)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: auriculata = 'eared' (refers to the protruding temples)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cissites auriculata. 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 Cissites auriculata (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Cissites auriculata
What is Cissites auriculata?
Cissites auriculata is a species in the family Meloidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Cissites auriculata?
19-37 mm (Champion 1892)
Where is Cissites auriculata found?
Range: w. & s. TX to Panama / W. Indies - Map
What does Cissites auriculata eat?
The diet of the Cissites auriculata includes larval hosts: large carpenter bees ( Xylocopa , Apidae) ( 3 ) adults are aphagous ( 3 ) (lack the ability to feed).
When is Cissites auriculata active?
Cissites auriculata: seasonal activity - Jan. to Jun. in TX (BG data).