Orchid Beetle
Dascillus cervinus
This record describes Dascillus cervinus (species). Recorded family: Dascillidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This beetle is about 1 cm long and is covered in hair, which is yellowish brown in the females and greyer in the males. Rough grassland, usually on flowers, but sometimes in bushes. The larvae eat roots, mainly those of vigorous grasses.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Family
- Dascillidae
- Genus
- Dascillus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Rough grassland, usually on flowers, but sometimes in bushes.
Seasonal Activity
May to July, with a peak in June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae eat roots, mainly those of vigorous grasses.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread but rather local in Britain
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Dascillus cervinus. 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 Orchid Beetle (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Orchid Beetle
What is Orchid Beetle?
Orchid Beetle (Dascillus cervinus) is a species in the family Dascillidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Orchid Beetle found?
Habitat: Rough grassland, usually on flowers, but sometimes in bushes.
When is Orchid Beetle active?
Orchid Beetle: seasonal activity - May to July, with a peak in June..
What is the life cycle of a Orchid Beetle?
The larvae eat roots, mainly those of vigorous grasses.