Man-Biter
Eufallia seminivea
This record describes Eufallia seminivea (species). Recorded family: Latridiidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Latridiidae (Minute Brown Scavenger Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Latridiinae
- Genus
- Eufallia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
FL, Mexico, West Indies ; also adventive in other regions such as Asia, "Most material of the Eufallia seminiveus that I have seen is from Florida, but we have a few specimens at the UGCA from Georgia too. Those extend the range as far north as Clayton and Clarke counties." (in litt. Dr. Joe McHugh (UGA) to M. Bertone); I have also found the species on several occasions in North Carolina (M. Bertone)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: "This species seems to like some type of mold that grows on plywood and other building materials." (in litt. Dr. Joe McHugh (UGA) to M. Bertone)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eufallia seminivea (Motschulsky 1866) "Man-Biter" in reference to its tendency to bite humans in many regions of the world.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Eufallia seminivea. 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 Man-Biter (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Matt Bertone , James Bailey , bmathison1972