Juniper Metallic Wood-boring Beetle
Juniperella mirabilis
This record describes Juniperella mirabilis (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Juniperella mirabilis is a species of beetle in the family Buprestidae, the only species in the genus Juniperella.
Wikipedia reference for Juniperella mirabilis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniperella mirabilis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Buprestoidea
- Family
- Buprestidae (Metallic Wood-boring Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Buprestinae
- Tribe
- Melanophilini
- Genus
- Juniperella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Juniperella mirabilis. 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 Juniper Metallic Wood-boring Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by William Ericson