Zonitis cribricollis
This record describes Zonitis cribricollis (species). Recorded family: Meloidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body | Body surface moderately shining. Color variable, usually testaceous or fulvous except antennae, eyes, palpi, galeae, tips of mandibles, metasternum, tibiae, and tarsi fuscous varying to piceous. |
| Head | Head often dark brown in specimens that have not been degreased. Elytral color varying from pale testaceous to entirely fuscous, often with disks fuscous, the sutures and margins narrowly pale. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with sides rounded, disk coarsely, irregularly punctate. |
| Elytra | Elytra moderately coarsely, extremely densely and uniformly punctate. Type Locality: Texas |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Meloidae (Blister Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Nemognathinae
- Tribe
- Nemognathini
- Genus
- Zonitis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e.US (TX-FL-OH-CO) - Map Enns
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Zonitis cribricollis. 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 Zonitis cribricollis (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Zonitis cribricollis
What is Zonitis cribricollis?
Zonitis cribricollis is a species in the family Meloidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Zonitis cribricollis?
5-11 mm
How do you identify Zonitis cribricollis?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body | Body surface moderately shining. Color variable, usually testaceous or fulvous except antennae, eyes, palpi, galeae, tips of mandibles, metasternum, tibiae, and tarsi fuscous varying to piceous. |
| Head | Head often dark brown in specimens that have not been degreased. Elytral color varying from pale testaceous to entirely fuscous, often with disks fuscous, the sutures and margins narrowly pale. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with sides rounded, disk coarsely, irregularly punctate. |
| Elytra | Elytra moderately coarsely, extremely densely and uniformly punctate. |
Where is Zonitis cribricollis found?
Range: e.US (TX-FL-OH-CO) - Map Enns