Phenolia picta
This record describes Phenolia picta (species). Recorded family: Nitidulidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
dorsal habitus photo first US record : New Orleans, LA 2024
Identification notes
dorsal habitus photo
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Cucujoidea
- Family
- Nitidulidae (Sap-feeding Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Nitidulinae
- Tribe
- Nitidulini
- Genus
- Phenolia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to the se.Palaearctic and Oriental regions, adventive elsewhere, incl. s.LA (Du et al. 2024) and across s.Europe; Ph. tibialis was recorded from Hawaii , but iNaturalist observations from HI show Ph. picta .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: mainly rotting fruit; inside bee colonies "...primarily feeds on honey and pupae ...severely damages the combs, causing bees to abandon the nest." (Du et al. 2024)
Life History
recently identified as a potential threat to the eastern honey bee ( Apis cerana )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Phenolia picta (MacLeay 1825)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Phenolia picta. 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 Phenolia picta (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Boris Bueche , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Phenolia picta
What is Phenolia picta?
Phenolia picta is a species in the family Nitidulidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Phenolia picta?
6‒8 mm
How do you identify Phenolia picta?
dorsal habitus photo
Where is Phenolia picta found?
Range: native to the se.Palaearctic and Oriental regions, adventive elsewhere, incl. s.LA (Du et al. 2024) and across s.Europe; Ph. tibialis was recorded from Hawaii , but iNaturalist observations from HI show Ph. picta .
What does Phenolia picta eat?
The diet of the Phenolia picta includes mainly rotting fruit; inside bee colonies ...primarily feeds on honey and pupae ...severely damages the combs, causing bees to abandon the nest. (Du et al. 2024).
What is the life cycle of a Phenolia picta?
recently identified as a potential threat to the eastern honey bee ( Apis cerana )