Laemosaccus nephele
This record describes Laemosaccus nephele (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
as compared to L. obrieni , the sympatric eastern species, L. nephele tends to be larger, with maculae reaching the elytral base and lateral margin, and pronotal punctures coarse and non-coalescing
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Mesoptiliinae
- Genus
- Laemosaccus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
ON & e. US (MA-FL to WI-MO-OK-TX); no pre-2019 published records under the name L. nephele or L. plagiatus refer to this species with certainty, and no specimens of this species have been seen from Mesoamerica
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Quercus spp. and Carya sp.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Laemosaccus nephele (Herbst 1797)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Laemosaccus nephele. 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 Laemosaccus nephele (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Rosenfeld; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Laemosaccus nephele
What is Laemosaccus nephele?
Laemosaccus nephele is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Laemosaccus nephele?
2.4─4.5 mm
How do you identify Laemosaccus nephele?
as compared to L. obrieni , the sympatric eastern species, L. nephele tends to be larger, with maculae reaching the elytral base and lateral margin, and pronotal punctures coarse and non-coalescing
Where is Laemosaccus nephele found?
Range: ON & e. US (MA-FL to WI-MO-OK-TX); no pre-2019 published records under the name L. nephele or L. plagiatus refer to this species with certainty, and no specimens of this species have been seen from Mesoamerica
What does Laemosaccus nephele eat?
The diet of the Laemosaccus nephele includes hosts: Quercus spp. and Carya sp..