Fossocarus creoleorum
This record describes Fossocarus creoleorum (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Melolonthinae
- Tribe
- Rhizotrogini
- Genus
- Fossocarus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Provisional east Texas endemic. This species is likely to occur in southwestern Louisiana. The type locality is Weirgate (Newton county) (Howden, 196l), and it was later recorded from Hardin County (Howden, 1971). We collected or examined male specimens from Hardin, Jasper and Tyler countries taken mostly at lights. (Riley and Wolfe 2003)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
As predicted by Howden this species is active during the cool-season although not exclusively. Our specimens (all males) were taken in October, March and as late as April and May. It also flies during rainy weather and even during driving rainstorms, and it may fly exclusively under these conditions. (Riley and Wolfe 2003)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Fossocarus creoleorum. 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 Fossocarus creoleorum (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn