Podabrus pygmaeus
This record describes Podabrus pygmaeus (species). Recorded family: Cantharidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Podabrus pygmaeus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America.
Wikipedia reference for Podabrus pygmaeus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podabrus pygmaeus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Elateroidea
- Family
- Cantharidae (Soldier Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cantharinae
- Tribe
- Podabrini
- Genus
- Podabrus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Podabrus pygmaeus Green 1948
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Podabrus pygmaeus. 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 Podabrus pygmaeus (2)
Photo credits: (c) Tom Murray, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tom Murray | Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz