Pyrota tenuicostatis
This record describes Pyrota tenuicostatis (species). Recorded family: Meloidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
our only representative of the Tenuicostatis Group (4 spp., TX to Venezuela) ...we saw literally clouds of these beetles flying through the air and aggregating on trees... there were 10,000 or more individuals in an area of a couple of acres [in so. TX]. (Jun 2005, Lee Elliot & Bill Carr)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Meloidae (Blister Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Meloinae
- Genus
- Pyrota
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
mostly c. & sw. TX to Costa Rica - Map
Seasonal Activity
May-July (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: frequently feed on the inflorescences of mesquite and other legumes ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pyrota tenuicostatis (Dugès 1877)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Pyrota tenuicostatis. 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 Pyrota tenuicostatis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Pyrota tenuicostatis
What is Pyrota tenuicostatis?
Pyrota tenuicostatis is a species in the family Meloidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Pyrota tenuicostatis found?
Range: mostly c. & sw. TX to Costa Rica - Map
What does Pyrota tenuicostatis eat?
The diet of the Pyrota tenuicostatis includes frequently feed on the inflorescences of mesquite and other legumes ( 4 ).
When is Pyrota tenuicostatis active?
Pyrota tenuicostatis: seasonal activity - May-July (BG data).