Sunius melanocephalus
This record describes Sunius melanocephalus (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
- Paederinae
- Tribe
- Lathrobiini
- Genus
- Sunius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Specimens can be found by sweeping grasslands, using pitfall traps, and sifting debris. Despite being primarily nocturnal, they may also appear in flood refuse at any time, and sampling moss and litter can yield a few.
Geographic Range
native to the Palaearctic (widespread in Europe), adventive in our area (QC‒ON‒NY)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sunius melanocephalus (Fabricius 1792)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Sunius melanocephalus. 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 Sunius melanocephalus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Nicolas Bédard; Additional contributions by v belov , pierrickb