Oomorphus floridanus
This record describes Oomorphus floridanus (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Type Locality: collected in some numbers at Biscayne, Fla. by E. A. Schwarz.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Lamprosomatinae
- Genus
- Oomorphus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
adults taken by beating various trees and shrubs [incl. Ficus (Moraceae) and Metopium (Anacardiaceae)], also found in a packrat nest ( 3 )
Geographic Range
southmost FL (Monroe & Miami-Dade counties, and Pinellas Co.) & the Bahamas
Diet and Behavior
Diet: on Pinus, Ficus
Life History
Blatchley (1928:71) collected this species at Dunedin, Pinellas Co., and at Royal Palm Park, Dade Co., and noted, "It occurs in spring on the foliage of young pine and in December was beaten from dead limbs and vines in the hammock." MCT collected a large series of specimens on Ficus citrifolia Mill. (Moraceae) in Dade Co., Fuch's Hammock, 27-IV-1982 [FSCA]. It has been collected in Monroe Co., Key Largo, 15-V-1977, R. Tumbow, blacklight trap; Key Largo, IV-VII [no other data] [FSCA]; Upper Key Largo [no further data] [FAMU]. There are also specimens collected in dung in the nest of a packrat, Neotoma floridana smalli Sherman, in Monroe Co., Key Largo, 22-1T1-1960, R. E. Wood.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oomorphus floridanus Horn 1893
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Oomorphus floridanus. 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 Oomorphus floridanus
What is Oomorphus floridanus?
Oomorphus floridanus is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Oomorphus floridanus?
2.5 mm
Where is Oomorphus floridanus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | adults taken by beating various trees and shrubs [incl. Ficus (Moraceae) and Metopium (Anacardiaceae)], also found in a packrat nest ( 3 ) |
| Range | southmost FL (Monroe & Miami-Dade counties, and Pinellas Co.) & the Bahamas |
What does Oomorphus floridanus eat?
The diet of the Oomorphus floridanus includes on Pinus, Ficus.
What is the life cycle of a Oomorphus floridanus?
Blatchley (1928:71) collected this species at Dunedin, Pinellas Co., and at Royal Palm Park, Dade Co., and noted, It occurs in spring on the foliage of young pine and in December was beaten from dead limbs and vines in the hammock. MCT collected a large series of specimens on Ficus citrifolia Mill. (Moraceae) in Dade Co., Fuch's Hammock, 27-IV-1982 [FSCA]. It has been collected in Monroe Co., Key Largo, 15-V-1977, R. Tumbow, blacklight trap; Key Largo, IV-VII [no other data] [FSCA]; Upper Key Largo [no further data] [FAMU]. There are also specimens collected in dung in the nest of a packrat, Neotoma floridana smalli Sherman, in Monroe Co., Key Largo, 22-1T1-1960, R. E. Wood.