Author of family is Imhoff, 1856. From genus Cantharis, that from Greek κανθαρισ, a "blistering fly", that from κανθαροσ, a beetle, that Greek word also referred to a fish (1).
Numbers
Approximately 16 genera and 455 species in North America (2)
Identification
Adult beetles are soft and somewhat flattened, with parallel sides, long legs and long, usually threadlike antennae. Lack light organs present in (most of) the similar fireflies (Lampyridae). Head typically protrudes (somewhat) from under pronotum--mostly visible from above, unlike in Lampyridae. Tarsal formula 5-5-5, with the fourth segment lobed--see below:
Larvae are usually covered with dense bristles, giving a velvety appearance (2):
Habitat
Adults are found on flowers and foliage, larvae on damp ground, under bark or other objects.
Food
Adults eat nectar, pollen and in some cases other insects, particularly aphids.
Larvae are generally carnivorous and feed on small soft-bodied insects. A few species feed on plant material such as grains potatoes and celery. (2)
Remarks
The compound cantharidin is named for this group of beetles, presumably, but was actually isolated from blister beetles, Meloidae--at that time presumably the family was included with the Cantharidae.
