Macrodactylus angustatus
This record describes Macrodactylus angustatus (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
...erect spine-like setae on the pronotal disc. According to Paul Lago, there apparently is some overlap in the character between subspinosus and angustatus (comparing external characters to DNA analyses), although subspinosus females generally don't have such heavy erect vestiture on the pronotum. The males simply have appressed scale-like hairs on the pronotum, not the spiked crew cut effect, and look fairly similar to subspinosus males dorsally. (Bill Warner)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Melolonthinae
- Tribe
- Macrodactylini
- Genus
- Macrodactylus (Rose Chafers)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US (MA-IL-FL); AZ records suspect (Art Evans, pers. comm. to =v= 5.iv.2011), FL record also suspect
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Macrodactylus angustatus (Palisot de Beauvois 1805)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Macrodactylus angustatus. 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 Macrodactylus angustatus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Bbarnd , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Macrodactylus angustatus
What is Macrodactylus angustatus?
Macrodactylus angustatus is a species in the family Scarabaeidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Macrodactylus angustatus?
...erect spine-like setae on the pronotal disc. According to Paul Lago, there apparently is some overlap in the character between subspinosus and angustatus (comparing external characters to DNA analyses), although subspinosus females generally don't have such heavy erect vestiture on the pronotum. The males simply have appressed scale-like hairs on the pronotum, not the spiked crew cut effect, and look fairly similar to subspinosus males dorsally. (Bill Warner)
Where is Macrodactylus angustatus found?
Range: e. US (MA-IL-FL); AZ records suspect (Art Evans, pers. comm. to =v= 5.iv.2011), FL record also suspect