Ridge-winged Fungus Beetle
Thes bergrothi
This record describes Thes bergrothi (species). Recorded family: Latridiidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Latridiidae (Minute Brown Scavenger Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Latridiinae
- Genus
- Thes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
frequently associated with stored products and is found in damp/mouldy houses, cellars, warehouses, kitchens, granaries, wine cellars on flour, mouldy wallpaper, dried plants, leather, mouldy wine vats, cheese, dried cocoa
Geographic Range
native to Europe, adventive elsewhere; in NA, across Canada & along the Pacific Coast
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Thes bergrothi (Reitter 1880)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Thes bergrothi. 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 Ridge-winged Fungus Beetle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset