Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Ostomatidae
Explanation of Names
Author of family is
Latreille, 1802. Family name is from that of genus
Trogosita, which is New Latin (Olivier, 1790), from Greek, combination of τρωγειν, gnaw, plus σιτοζ, grain
(1).
Numbers
Insects of Cedar Creek lists 64 North American species.
Identification
Antennae usually distinctive, ending in 3-segmented club, with those three segments enlarged on one side
(2), here shown juxtaposed with the antennae of a carabid:
Most Bark-gnawing Beetles are cylindrical or slightly flattened, and with pronotum and elytra separated by a narrow "waist". The body is typically shiny
(2). These tend to live under bark. See, for example,
Temnoscheila and
Tenebroides:
Some genera are elliptical and flattened with sculptured body, often dull
(2). These tend to be associated with bracket fungi. See, for example,
Thymalus:
Habitat
Forests. Some groups found under bark, others found associated with bracket fungi.
Food
Many are predatory on other beetles and their larvae.
See Also
Ground beetles,
Carabidae, especially
Scarites and
Clivina -- note the thread-like antennae
Stag beetles,
Lucanidae, especially
Platycerus -- note the elbowed antennae
Sap-feeding Beetles (
Nitidulidae ), such as
PrometopiaPrint References
The Century Dictionary--entry for
Trogosita (1)
White, pp. 208-209, fig. 86, plate 3
(2)
American Beetles, Vol. 2, Chapter 72
(3)Contributed by
Phillip Harpootlian on 11 March, 2005 - 9:13am
Additional contributions by
cotinisLast updated 31 August, 2007 - 12:03pm
