Philonthus marginatus
This record describes Philonthus marginatus (species). Recorded family: Staphylinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
7 to 9.5mm. The reddish-yellow lateral margins to the pronotum make this beetle easy to identify. The remainder of the pronotum, head, and abdomen are shining black. The elytra are blackish with long overlapping hairs and the legs usually yellowish though sometimes darkened. The antennae are black with a yellow underside to the first segment as also found in P. cognatus. On damp soils in grassland or open woodland. Often on or around dung or other decaying matter.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Family
- Staphylinidae
- Genus
- Philonthus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
On damp soils in grassland or open woodland. Often on or around dung or other decaying matter.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and generally common.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Philonthus marginatus. 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.
