White-marked Spider Beetle
Ptinus fur
This record describes Ptinus fur (species). Recorded family: Ptinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Ptinus fur is a small (about 3.5 mm) Spider Beetle. The prothorax is densely covered with pale hairs, while the red brown studded elytra bear white scales looking like four pale white spots. Females are often more rounded and darker. Scavenges and breeds in dry organic matter. P. fur has been reported as attacking flour and other stored products such as bran and grain. It is also a pest in museums, attacking insect specimens and stuffed birds. Fairly common in Britain with most records coming from central England and from Wales.
Wikipedia reference for Ptinus fur: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptinus_fur.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Ptinidae (Death-watch and Spider Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Ptininae
- Tribe
- Ptinini
- Genus
- Ptinus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Often found in association with humans.
Seasonal Activity
All year round.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Scavenges and breeds in dry organic matter.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common in Britain with most records coming from central England and from Wales.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Ptinus fur. 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 White-marked Spider Beetle (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About White-marked Spider Beetle
What is White-marked Spider Beetle?
White-marked Spider Beetle (Ptinus fur) is a species in the family Ptinidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is White-marked Spider Beetle found?
Habitat: Often found in association with humans.
When is White-marked Spider Beetle active?
White-marked Spider Beetle: seasonal activity - All year round..
What is the life cycle of a White-marked Spider Beetle?
Scavenges and breeds in dry organic matter.