Gnathium texanum
This record describes Gnathium texanum (species). Recorded family: Meloidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
relatively short head, the pronotum no longer that wide and densely punctate, and the densely punctate elytra
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Meloidae (Blister Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Nemognathinae
- Tribe
- Nemognathini
- Genus
- Gnathium
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ, c.KS to w. and s.TX - Map , most records from TX
Diet and Behavior
Life History
coll'ed on Clasping Coneflower ( Dracopis (=Rudbeckia) amplexicaulis ), Prairie Coneflower ( Ratibida columnifera , Asteraceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Gnathium texanum Horn, 1870
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Gnathium texanum. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gnathium texanum
What is Gnathium texanum?
Gnathium texanum is a species in the family Meloidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Gnathium texanum?
4.5-6 mm
How do you identify Gnathium texanum?
relatively short head, the pronotum no longer that wide and densely punctate, and the densely punctate elytra
Where is Gnathium texanum found?
Range: AZ, c.KS to w. and s.TX - Map , most records from TX
What is the life cycle of a Gnathium texanum?
coll'ed on Clasping Coneflower ( Dracopis (=Rudbeckia) amplexicaulis ), Prairie Coneflower ( Ratibida columnifera , Asteraceae)