Coastal Red Bruchid
Megacerus coryphae
This record describes Megacerus coryphae (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Megacerus coryphae is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.
Identification notes
all white pygidium, see Vol. II, Fig. 214
Wikipedia reference for Megacerus coryphae: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megacerus coryphae.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Bruchinae
- Tribe
- Bruchini
- Genus
- Megacerus (Large-horned Bruchids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
coastal habitats , the two known host plants also have very coastal distributions
Geographic Range
se US coastal counties (e.TX-s.FL-se.NC) - Map , uncommon
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Ipomoea pes-caprae , I. sagittata
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Megacerus coryphae (Olivier 1795)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Megacerus coryphae. 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 Coastal Red Bruchid (6)
Photo credits: (c) Eliot VanOtteren, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eliot VanOtteren | (c) Scott Buckel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Scott Buckel | (c) Brett Jackson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Brett Jackson | (c) Van Remsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Van Remsen | (c) Alexis Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Smith | Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Coastal Red Bruchid
What is Coastal Red Bruchid?
Coastal Red Bruchid (Megacerus coryphae) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Coastal Red Bruchid?
3–3.5 mm
How do you identify Coastal Red Bruchid?
all white pygidium, see Vol. II, Fig. 214
Where is Coastal Red Bruchid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coastal habitats , the two known host plants also have very coastal distributions |
| Range | se US coastal counties (e.TX-s.FL-se.NC) - Map , uncommon |
What does Coastal Red Bruchid eat?
The diet of the Coastal Red Bruchid includes Ipomoea pes-caprae , I. sagittata.