Scirtes plagiatus
This record describes Scirtes plagiatus (species). Recorded family: Scirtidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Ovate, reddish testaceous, head, thorax and an oblique lateral stripe on each elytron piceous. |
| Head | Head shining, finely and sparsely punctate and sparsely pubescent. First joint of antennae stout, second and third small, together as long as the fourth, fourth to tenth feebly decreasing in length, eleventh slightly longer than the tenth and rounded at apex. |
| Thorax | Thorax very strongly transverse; sides narrowing to apex, apical angles rounded, basal angles feebly so; base arcuate; surface finely and rather sparsely punctate and sparsely pubescent. Scutellum triangular, finely and sparsely punctate. |
| Elytra | Elytra more strongly punctate than the thorax, sparsely pubescent with fine, recumbent, pale hairs; color reddish testaceous, with an oblique, piceous vitta on each side, extending to about apical fourth, leaving apex and the suture narrowly pale. |
| Body | Body beneath sparsely pubescent; tibiae carinate. Det. M. Pintar, 2024 Type locality: Huachuca Mountains, Arizona |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scirtoidea
- Family
- Scirtidae (Marsh Beetles)
- Genus
- Scirtes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ, w.TX
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Scirtes plagiatus Schaeffer 1906
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Scirtes plagiatus. 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 Scirtes plagiatus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , mpintar
Frequently Asked Questions About Scirtes plagiatus
What is Scirtes plagiatus?
Scirtes plagiatus is a species in the family Scirtidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Scirtes plagiatus?
3.3‒3.4 mm
How do you identify Scirtes plagiatus?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Ovate, reddish testaceous, head, thorax and an oblique lateral stripe on each elytron piceous. |
| Head | Head shining, finely and sparsely punctate and sparsely pubescent. First joint of antennae stout, second and third small, together as long as the fourth, fourth to tenth feebly decreasing in length, eleventh slightly longer than the tenth and rounded at apex. |
| Thorax | Thorax very strongly transverse; sides narrowing to apex, apical angles rounded, basal angles feebly so; base arcuate; surface finely and rather sparsely punctate and sparsely pubescent. Scutellum triangular, finely and sparsely punctate. |
| Elytra | Elytra more strongly punctate than the thorax, sparsely pubescent with fine, recumbent, pale hairs; color reddish testaceous, with an oblique, piceous vitta on each side, extending to about apical fourth, leaving apex and the suture narrowly pale. |
| Body | Body beneath sparsely pubescent; tibiae carinate. Det. M. Pintar, 2024 |
Where is Scirtes plagiatus found?
Range: AZ, w.TX