Cultellunguis ingenuus
This record describes Cultellunguis ingenuus (species). Recorded family: Cantharidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Black, including black elytral pubescence, except for yellowish to orange-reddish face and pronotum. The tarsi are lobed, with the anterior claw of protarsi cleft in males, the outer cleft portion is knife-like, and slightly larger than the inner ('cultellate' - Lat. culter, pl. cultri - knife). In females all claws are simple, and protarsi not expanded.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Elateroidea
- Family
- Cantharidae (Soldier Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cantharinae
- Tribe
- Cantharini
- Genus
- Cultellunguis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California: Western Riverside Co. (to San Francisco), Orange Co., L.A. Co. (i.e. Tanbark Flat, Whittier, Westwood Hills, Malibu Lake, and Gorman, based on specimens in the Nat. Hist. Mus. of L.A. County).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cultellunguis ingenuus (LeConte 1881)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cultellunguis ingenuus. 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 Cultellunguis ingenuus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Cultellunguis ingenuus
What is Cultellunguis ingenuus?
Cultellunguis ingenuus is a species in the family Cantharidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Cultellunguis ingenuus?
~9 mm
How do you identify Cultellunguis ingenuus?
Black, including black elytral pubescence, except for yellowish to orange-reddish face and pronotum. The tarsi are lobed, with the anterior claw of protarsi cleft in males, the outer cleft portion is knife-like, and slightly larger than the inner ('cultellate' - Lat. culter, pl. cultri - knife). In females all claws are simple, and protarsi not expanded.
Where is Cultellunguis ingenuus found?
Range: California: Western Riverside Co. (to San Francisco), Orange Co., L.A. Co. (i.e. Tanbark Flat, Whittier, Westwood Hills, Malibu Lake, and Gorman, based on specimens in the Nat. Hist. Mus. of L.A. County).