American Utilizable Wood Bark Beetle
Gnathotrichus materiarius
This record describes Gnathotrichus materiarius (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
often attacks pines killed by Ips spp. in the south
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Scolytinae
- Tribe
- Corthylini
- Genus
- Gnathotrichus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
coniferous forests
Geographic Range
e NA (NS‒FL to MN‒TX) + scattered western records; adventive and now widespread in Europe (spreads with timber trade)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Adults bore directly into the wood. Their main galleries may have several branches. Larval cradles are extended upward and downward from these galleries, running parallel to the wood grain.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Gnathotrichus materiarius (Fitch 1858)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Gnathotrichus materiarius. 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 American Utilizable Wood Bark Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Thomas H. Atkinson; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov , mfdigiro , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About American Utilizable Wood Bark Beetle
What is American Utilizable Wood Bark Beetle?
American Utilizable Wood Bark Beetle (Gnathotrichus materiarius) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is American Utilizable Wood Bark Beetle?
3.2–3.5 mm
Where is American Utilizable Wood Bark Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coniferous forests |
| Range | e NA (NS‒FL to MN‒TX) + scattered western records; adventive and now widespread in Europe (spreads with timber trade) |
What is the life cycle of a American Utilizable Wood Bark Beetle?
Adults bore directly into the wood. Their main galleries may have several branches. Larval cradles are extended upward and downward from these galleries, running parallel to the wood grain.