Philonthus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Staphylinoidea
Family: Staphylinidae
Subfamily: Staphylininae
Tribe: Staphylinini
Subtribe: Philonthina
Genus: Philonthus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Philonthus: //fɪˈlɒnθəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Philonthus concinnus 271942508 by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.

Philonthus varians by Edmund Reitter
. Used under a Public domain license.

Philonthus umbratilis by janet graham. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Philonthus rufulus by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Philonthus lindrothi 332375210 by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.

Philonthus lindrothi 258843389 by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Philonthus is a genus of large rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, comprising over 380 described species, with a significant ecological role as decomposers in various habitats.

Physical Characteristics

Large rove beetles with elongated bodies typical of the family Staphylinidae.

Identification Tips

Identification can be aided by observing the size, body shape, and coloration of the beetles, as well as their habitat.

Habitat

Commonly found in litter, dung, carrion, fungi, nests, and compost.

Distribution

Cosmopolitan, with 112 species in the specified area and approximately 1250 species worldwide.

Diet

Detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter, including litter, dung, and fungi.

Ecosystem Role

Important decomposers in ecosystems due to their feeding habits on decaying organic matter.