Simplocaria semistriata
This record describes Simplocaria semistriata (species). Recorded family: Byrrhidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Simplocaria semistriata is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae. It is found in Europe & Northern Asia (excluding China) and North America.
Wikipedia reference for Simplocaria semistriata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplocaria_semistriata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Byrrhoidea
- Family
- Byrrhidae (Pill Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Byrrhinae
- Tribe
- Simplocariini
- Genus
- Simplocaria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to Europe, adventive and widespread in NA (NF-ON-MN to VA-OH; also BC) ; the NC record in the Guide is a notable range extension
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Simplocaria semistriata (Fabricius 1794)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Simplocaria semistriata. 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 Simplocaria semistriata (3)
Photo credits: (c) Andreas Bennetsen Boe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Andreas Bennetsen Boe | Contributed by Jim McClarin; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Phillip Harpootlian , v belov , Thrasher