Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Tenebrionidae
Latreille 1802. Includes the traditionally segregated Alleculidae (Comb-clawed Beetles) and Lagriidae (Long-jointed Beetles)
This site follows the classification of Bouchard et al. (2005)(1) (not yet fully implemented)
Please don't reorder sumfamilies and tribes!
Explanation of Names
from
Tenebrio, Latin "one who loves darkness, a trickster" (from
tenebrae, darkness)
(2)(3)Numbers
ca. 1200 spp. in 191 genera north of Mexico
(4)Size
1-60 mm worldwide, usually 2.5-20 mm in our area
(5)Identification
One of the most diverse animal families.
Usually dark, a few colored and/or patterned, sometimes with red. Body shape variable--elongated to more oval, usually flattened. Many large species are flightless and have fused elytra. Characteristics of Tenebrionidae:
first abdominal sternite entire, not divided by hind coxae (unlike Carabidae)
eyes usually notched
antennae variable [thread-like (filiform), bead-like (moniliform), or clubbed], typically 11-segmented, with insertion concealed from above
tarsal formula 5-5-4
Larvae are cylindrical and hard-bodied, called "false wireworms" because they resemble larvae of click beetles, Elateridae.
Range
Widespread, with about 225 species recognized east of the Mississippi River
(5) and almost 5 times this number in the West
(6)Habitat
Typically found under stones, decaying logs, bark, on bracket fungi, or on the ground. A few species diurnal, found in open. Many species are adapted to desert conditions.
Food
Many are scavengers of plant material as both adults and larvae. Some attracted to carrion, dead insects, dung. Some feed on fungus, often found under bark. Some are pests of stored grain and of insect collections.
Life Cycle
Most larvae live in decaying matter. Many species have chemical defenses.
Print References
Tenebrionidae of Maryland
(7)
