Meracantha contracta
This record describes Meracantha contracta (species). Recorded family: Tenebrionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Det. Guy A. Hanley, 2012 Nocturnal, flightless
Identification notes
Det. Guy A. Hanley, 2012
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Tenebrioninae
- Tribe
- Amarygmini
- Genus
- Meracantha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
under bark or underneath logs, often oak; found in leaf litter during day or climbing tree trunks and feeding on fungus, lichens at night
Geographic Range
e.US, s.Ont (ON‒n.FL to WI‒IA‒e.TX) - Map , most records e. of the Miss. R.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Meracantha contracta ( Beauvois 1813)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Meracantha contracta. 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 Meracantha contracta (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Stephen_WV; Additional contributions by cotinis , Bbarnd , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Meracantha contracta
What is Meracantha contracta?
Meracantha contracta is a species in the family Tenebrionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Meracantha contracta?
11‒14 mm
How do you identify Meracantha contracta?
Det. Guy A. Hanley, 2012
Where is Meracantha contracta found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | under bark or underneath logs, often oak; found in leaf litter during day or climbing tree trunks and feeding on fungus, lichens at night |
| Range | e.US, s.Ont (ON‒n.FL to WI‒IA‒e.TX) - Map , most records e. of the Miss. R. |