Philonthus aurulentus
This record describes Philonthus aurulentus (species). Recorded family: Staphylinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Pronotum with quite dense, almost regular punctation; elytra can be black, or red with scutellar region dark to variable extent. the very similar P. lecontei Horn, 1884 even more western (BC - CA + Rockies)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Staphylinoidea
- Family
- Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Staphylininae
- Tribe
- Staphylinini
- Genus
- Philonthus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
shores with preference
Geographic Range
western: BC - Manitoba / CA - CO
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Philonthus aurulentus Horn, 1884
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Philonthus aurulentus. 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 Philonthus aurulentus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Boris Bueche
Frequently Asked Questions About Philonthus aurulentus
What is Philonthus aurulentus?
Philonthus aurulentus is a species in the family Staphylinidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Philonthus aurulentus?
7.5 - 9.5 mm
How do you identify Philonthus aurulentus?
Pronotum with quite dense, almost regular punctation; elytra can be black, or red with scutellar region dark to variable extent.
Where is Philonthus aurulentus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | shores with preference |
| Range | western: BC - Manitoba / CA - CO |