Spalacopsis texana
This record describes Spalacopsis texana (species). Recorded family: Cerambycidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Penrose swept numerous spmns from grasses and understory vegetation at Welder Wildlife Refuge in May and beat a mating pair from Baccharis at that site in Oct.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Cerambycidae (Longhorn Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Lamiinae
- Tribe
- Agapanthiini
- Genus
- Spalacopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
coastal Houston to s. TX - Map
Seasonal Activity
April to Dec.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larval host is not known, but this sp. probably breeds in dead stems of grasses, annual Asteraceae, or other pithy plants
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Spalacopsis texana Casey 1891
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Spalacopsis texana. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spalacopsis texana
What is Spalacopsis texana?
Spalacopsis texana is a species in the family Cerambycidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Spalacopsis texana found?
Range: coastal Houston to s. TX - Map
What does Spalacopsis texana eat?
The diet of the Spalacopsis texana includes The larval host is not known, but this sp. probably breeds in dead stems of grasses, annual Asteraceae, or other pithy plants.
When is Spalacopsis texana active?
Spalacopsis texana: seasonal activity - April to Dec..