Dendrophilus punctatus
This record describes Dendrophilus punctatus (species). Recorded family: Histeridae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Histeroidea
- Family
- Histeridae (Clown Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Dendrophilinae
- Genus
- Dendrophilus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
mostly bird nests (esp. in tree hollows), sometimes under bark or in rotten wood near ant nests, occasionally in granaries/mills or wasp nests ( 5 ) ( 6 ) , but in NA seems to be primarily saproxylic rather than synanthropic ( 4 )
Geographic Range
native to w. Palaearctic, adventive in our area, widespread in e. NA (NS-MB to FL-LA)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dendrophilus punctatus (Herbst 1792)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Dendrophilus punctatus. 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 Dendrophilus punctatus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov