Blackburn's Earth Boring Beetle
Geotrupes blackburnii
This record describes Geotrupes blackburnii (species). Recorded family: Geotrupidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Blackburn's Earth Boring Beetle (Geotrupes blackburnii) is a species in the family Geotrupidae, commonly known as earth-boring scarab beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Geotrupinae, suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Scarabaeoidea. This species belongs to the genus Geotrupes. Size: 10‒20 mm.
Identification notes
elytral suture illustrated in
Wikipedia reference for Geotrupes blackburnii: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geotrupes_blackburnii.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Geotrupidae (Earth-Boring Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Geotrupinae
- Genus
- Geotrupes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US (VT‒FL to IL‒TX)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Geotrupes (Cnemotrupes) blackburnii (Fabricius 1781)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Geotrupes blackburnii. 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 Blackburn's Earth Boring Beetle (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Phillip Harpootlian; Additional contributions by cotinis , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackburn's Earth Boring Beetle
What is Blackburn's Earth Boring Beetle?
Blackburn's Earth Boring Beetle (Geotrupes blackburnii) is a species in the family Geotrupidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Blackburn's Earth Boring Beetle?
10‒20 mm
How do you identify Blackburn's Earth Boring Beetle?
elytral suture illustrated in
Where is Blackburn's Earth Boring Beetle found?
Range: e. US (VT‒FL to IL‒TX)