Stenotothorax gardneri
This record describes Stenotothorax gardneri (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Aphodiinae
- Tribe
- Aphodiini
- Genus
- Stenotothorax
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
previously known only from caves in the Ozark region, MO‒AR‒OK , BG data is first locality data for TX • not listed for TX in
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Whether S. gardneri lives in woodrat nests outside of caves vs restricted to caves is unknown (Slay et al. 2012)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Stenotothorax gardneri (Gordon 2006)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Stenotothorax gardneri. 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 Stenotothorax gardneri (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Phillip Harpootlian , Maury Heiman , v belov