Drusilla canaliculata
This record describes Drusilla canaliculata (species). Recorded family: Staphylinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A small (about 5 mm), slender rove beetle. It is predominantly reddish brown but the rear of the abdomen is darker than the rest of the body. The legs are reddish-yellow and rather long. Abdomen is broadest in the middle. Found in a wide range of habitats and on a variety of soils; open areas under vegetation, stones, mosses, debris etc. it has been noted as frequenting areas with grasses such as Common Couch and Yorkshire-fog. Widespread though sometimes rather local in Britain.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Staphylinoidea
- Family
- Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Aleocharinae
- Tribe
- Lomechusini
- Genus
- Drusilla
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in a wide range of habitats and on a variety of soils; open areas under vegetation, stones, mosses, debris etc. it has been noted as frequenting areas with grasses such as Common Couch and Yorkshire-fog.
Seasonal Activity
All year round.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
It is a predator that catches ants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread though sometimes rather local in Britain.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Drusilla canaliculata. 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 Drusilla canaliculata (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Drusilla canaliculata
What is Drusilla canaliculata?
Drusilla canaliculata is a species in the family Staphylinidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Drusilla canaliculata found?
Habitat: Found in a wide range of habitats and on a variety of soils; open areas under vegetation, stones, mosses, debris etc. it has been noted as frequenting areas with grasses such as Common Couch and Yorkshire-fog.
When is Drusilla canaliculata active?
Drusilla canaliculata: seasonal activity - All year round..
What is the life cycle of a Drusilla canaliculata?
It is a predator that catches ants.