Stenus caenicolus
This record describes Stenus caenicolus (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
- Steninae
- Genus
- Stenus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: There was some confusion historically with S. caenicolus : The species illustrated and described in Puthz (1972) as S. caenicolus Notman was in fact an undescribed species that he described in 2001 as Stenus destitutus Puthz. His 1972 new species ( Stenus insperatus ) was the true Stenus caenicolus Notman and he synonymized them in 2001. Webster et al. (2016) ( 3 ) illustrated Stenus destitutus (= Stenus caenicolus of Puthz, 1972, not Notman)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Stenus caenicolus. 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 Stenus caenicolus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Nicolas Bédard