Psyllobora schwarzi
This record describes Psyllobora schwarzi (species). Recorded family: Coccinellidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
first collected in Florida at Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, February 2012. Since then, it has been collected at three other localities in Miami-Dade County (Key Biscayne, Miami, and North Miami). Collections were in August and October 2012. It appears to be established. (Featured Creatures)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Coccinellidae (Lady Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Coccinellinae
- Genus
- Psyllobora (Fungus-eating Lady Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
recently established in so. FL (Broward and Dade Cos.), native to W. Indies (Cuba, Bahamas)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Psyllobora schwarzi Chapin 1957
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Psyllobora schwarzi. 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.