Polycesta cyanea
This record describes Polycesta cyanea (species). Recorded family: Buprestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species is black without blue highlights. Unfortunately When Chamberlin described the species he had two species in the type series. The Holotype male was P. cyanea and the allotype female was P. tularensis . He used the blue hightlights of the female when deciding on a name.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Buprestoidea
- Family
- Buprestidae (Metallic Wood-boring Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Polycestinae
- Tribe
- Thrincopygini
- Genus
- Polycesta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Polycesta cyanea Chamberlin, 1933
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Polycesta cyanea. 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.