Other Common Names
Mold and Plaster Beetles for household pest taxa
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Lathridiidae, Corticariidae.
Explanation of Names
lathri, -di is Greek for hidden, secret
(1)Numbers
Nearctica lists 129 species.
140 spp. in U.S. per Arnett et al. (2002)
(2)Identification
Tarsal formula 3-3-3, size 3 mm or less, and elongate-oval shape serve to separate this family
(2)
Two subfamilies of rather different appearance:
1.Latridiinae: Body glabrous, or (rarely) with erect setae. Head, pronotum and elytra often with heavy sculpture dorsally (longitudinal grooves, ridges). Pronotal side margin usually smooth.
[Several genera]
2. Corticariinae: Body finely pubecent, hairs in most cases recumbent. Head, pronotum and elytra never with heavy sculpture dorsally, exept for a subbasal circular pit or shallow transversal groove. Pronotal side margin often serrate.
[Genera Corticaria, Corticarina, Cortinicara, Fuchsina, Melanophthalma]
Range
world-wide, most species live in temperate climates.
Most Nearctic species in most genera are found in the western United States
(2)Habitat
rotting vegetable matter. Some species live in houses on damp wallpaper, etc.
Lathridiinae are generally associated with leaf litter in nature.
(2)
Corticariinae can be collected by sweeping dead, low lying vegetation.
Season
Most prevalent in wetter seasons of the year
(2)Food
fungal tissues (slime moulds, moulds, mildew, spores of "higher" fungi)
Remarks
Studies of type specimens in the last two decades have resulted in several taxonomic changes. Unfortunately, in some cases, genus names now are applied in a different way then before:
- former Lathridius: now split (Aridius, Cartodere, Stephostethus, Thes); none of the species remains in the modern concept of Latridius;
- former Enicmus: several species now in Latridius (modern concept);
- former Cartodere: now Dienerella;
Placement of N-American species in
Nearctica is wrong in some cases, and would have to be verified.
Print References
American Beetles, Vol. 2, Chapter 95
(2)Internet References
Latridiidae.com Specialist´s webpage in German language, with key and illustrations.
