Listrochelus planeta
This record describes Listrochelus planeta (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The type locality is Fort Davis (Jeff Davis County)(Reinhard, 1950). Riley & Wolfe recollected this species in Jeff Davis County and Howden reported specimens from Brewster County that he believed were intermediate between P. (L.) meadei Saylor from Arizona and P. planeta from Fort Davis. This species complex of Listrochelus needs further taxonomic study.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Melolonthinae
- Tribe
- Rhizotrogini
- Genus
- Listrochelus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
endemic to w. TX
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Latin planeta = masc.; wandering star or planet. This is a noun and not subject to change in gender.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Listrochelus planeta. 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.