Common Plaster Beetle
Dienerella filum
This record describes Dienerella filum (species). Recorded family: Latridiidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
potential pest of air-conditioning and refrigeration systems ; adults cannot crawl on smooth or vertical surfaces, and often get trapped in sinks/tubs
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Latridiidae (Minute Brown Scavenger Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Latridiinae
- Genus
- Dienerella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
stored grains, mouldy organic matter (often bread) , in areas near water pipes, around leaky windows, under moldy wallpaper , in herbaria
Geographic Range
native to the Palaearctic, adventive in the New World; in our area, across so. Canada and n. US (south to NY-AR-CO-CA)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hyphae and spores of filamentous fungi; spores of the slime moulds
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dienerella filum (Aubé 1850)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Dienerella filum. 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 Common Plaster Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Plaster Beetle
What is Common Plaster Beetle?
Common Plaster Beetle (Dienerella filum) is a species in the family Latridiidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Common Plaster Beetle?
1.2–1.6 mm
Where is Common Plaster Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | stored grains, mouldy organic matter (often bread) , in areas near water pipes, around leaky windows, under moldy wallpaper , in herbaria |
| Range | native to the Palaearctic, adventive in the New World; in our area, across so. Canada and n. US (south to NY-AR-CO-CA) |
What does Common Plaster Beetle eat?
The diet of the Common Plaster Beetle includes hyphae and spores of filamentous fungi; spores of the slime moulds.