Plateumaris fulvipes
This record describes Plateumaris fulvipes (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Recognized by the broad metafemoral tooth, emarginate male pygidium, notched female pygidium (larger than flavipes), most specimens with more or less quadrate pronotum and densely punctate and punctulate disc, elytra densely punctulate on rugae, therefore appearing nearly reticulately rugulose, and male with median lobe carinate below. Legs generally reddish-pale, but vary to entirely dark in extreme instances.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Donaciinae
- Tribe
- Plateumarini
- Genus
- Plateumaris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Plateumaris fulvipes (Lacordaire 1845) Named for its reddish-pale legs, though these vary to almost completely dark
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Plateumaris fulvipes. 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 Plateumaris fulvipes (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by v belov , Ingolf