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Family Oedemeridae - False Blister Beetles
Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)
Superfamily Tenebrionoidea (Fungus, Bark, Darkling and Blister Beetles)
Family Oedemeridae (False Blister Beetles)
Other Common Names Pollen Feeding Beetles Explanation of Names Author of family is Latreille, 1810. From genus Oedemera, that New Latin (Olivier, 1795) from Greek οιδειν, swell, plus μηροσ, the thigh (1). Numbers Nearctica.com lists 17 genera and about 86 species for North America.
White, p. 262, lists 17 genera, 53 species for North America (2). Identification Length 5-20 mm. Antennae with 11 long filiform, serrate or clavate antennomeres (segments). Tarsal formula 5-5-4. 5-6, 2 connate ventrites. Elongate, pubescent, often brightly colored. Head not abruptly constricted posteriorly to form 'neck'. Prothorax without margins, expanded anteriorly, then narrowed, sides rounded. Season Spring, early summer. Food Adults take pollen, typically on early spring flowers. Life Cycle Adults often found on spring flowers, e.g., Asclera. Mating takes place on flowers. Larvae develop in the soil. Like true Blister Beetles, these beetles have toxic chemical defenses, and caution should be exercised in handling them. Print References The Century Dictionary--entry for Oedemera (1)
American Beetles, Vol. 2, Chapter 109 (3)
White, p. 262, fig. 113 (2)
Dillon, p. 283, Plate XXXVI (4)
Internet References Univ. Florida Extension--extensive discussion, key to Florida species.
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