Pseudozonitis maculicollis
This record describes Pseudozonitis maculicollis (species). Recorded family: Meloidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
colouration: Head and pronotum orange, elytra dark; a pair of spots on anteriour half of pronotum, and a small frontal macula dark, the latter sometimes missing.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Meloidae (Blister Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Nemognathinae
- Tribe
- Nemognathini
- Genus
- Pseudozonitis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
central and southern CA (San Joaquin (type) - Orange Co.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pseudozonitis maculicollis (MacSwain, 1951)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Pseudozonitis maculicollis. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pseudozonitis maculicollis
What is Pseudozonitis maculicollis?
Pseudozonitis maculicollis is a species in the family Meloidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Pseudozonitis maculicollis?
6 - 11 mm
How do you identify Pseudozonitis maculicollis?
colouration: Head and pronotum orange, elytra dark; a pair of spots on anteriour half of pronotum, and a small frontal macula dark, the latter sometimes missing.
Where is Pseudozonitis maculicollis found?
Range: central and southern CA (San Joaquin (type) - Orange Co.)