Rugilus angustatus
This record describes Rugilus angustatus (species). Recorded family: Staphylinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Staphylinoidea
- Family
- Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Paederinae
- Tribe
- Lathrobiini
- Genus
- Rugilus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
moist, muddy places near water, wet fields/meadows, usually under plant debris ; in NB, adults were found along river margins, in hardwood and mixed forests, and in a beaver dam. Adults were found under loose bark in wood piles, among composted wood chips and decaying plant material, under overhanging sticks on the outer margin of a beaver dam, and in flood debris on a river margin
Geographic Range
native to Europe (widespread there) , adventive in NA (NS-ON, ME, NY) [not listed in ]
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Rugilus (Rugilus) angustatus (Geoffroy 1785)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Rugilus angustatus. 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 Rugilus angustatus (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov