Phacophallus pallidipennis
This record describes Phacophallus pallidipennis (species). Recorded family: Staphylinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
earliest NA record: west coast 1904; earliest eastern record: NY 1931
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Staphylinoidea
- Family
- Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Xantholininae
- Tribe
- Xantholinini
- Genus
- Phacophallus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
decaying organic matter (incl. compost), esp. in synanthropic situations
Geographic Range
native to the Oriental Region, now subcosmopolitan; widespread in our area north to QC, more common in warmer parts
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Phacophallus pallidipennis (Motschulsky 1858)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Phacophallus pallidipennis. 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 Phacophallus pallidipennis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by v belov , NickBedard