ColeopteraTenebrionidae – Darkling Beetles

Eleodes debilis

This record describes Eleodes debilis (species). Recorded family: Tenebrionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Eleodes debilis - Eleodes debilis — Contributed by Mike Quinn

This is a small species, ovate and convex in body shape, which resembles some E. carbonarius in punctation. It is glabrous and shining with the integument finely and sparsely punctulate. The pronotum is subquadrate and widest at the middle. The anterior and posterior protibial spurs are distinctly dissimilar in size, especially in the female. rather common in West Texas (Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Presidio counties), especially at upper elevations. In Mexico, it ranges as far south as Aguascalientes.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
Family: Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles)
Subfamily: Blaptinae
Tribe: Amphidorini
Genus: Eleodes (Desert Stink Beetles)

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

AZ to w. TX / c. Mex. - Map

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Eleodes debilis LeConte, 1858

About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group

Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Eleodes debilis. 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.

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