Golden Spider Beetle
Niptus hololeucus
This record describes Niptus hololeucus (species). Recorded family: Ptinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
¹ earliest record in our area: QC ~1890 ( 3 )
Identification notes
¹
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Ptinidae (Death-watch and Spider Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Ptininae
- Tribe
- Ptinini
- Genus
- Niptus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In Canada, mainly warehouses; may be abundant
Geographic Range
temperate regions worldwide, probably originally from the Black Sea area; across Canada
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Niptus hololeucus (Faldermann 1835)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Niptus hololeucus. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Spider Beetle
What is Golden Spider Beetle?
Golden Spider Beetle (Niptus hololeucus) is a species in the family Ptinidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Golden Spider Beetle?
3.0–4.5 mm
How do you identify Golden Spider Beetle?
¹
Where is Golden Spider Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | In Canada, mainly warehouses; may be abundant |
| Range | temperate regions worldwide, probably originally from the Black Sea area; across Canada |