Family Cucujidae - Flat Bark Beetles

Classification · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Food · Remarks · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Cucujus clavipes larva - Cucujus clavipes

Unknown on kitchen floor - Cucujus clavipes

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)

Superfamily Cucujoidea (Flower, Flat Bark and Ladybird Beetles)

Family Cucujidae (Flat Bark Beetles)

Numbers

3 species in 2 genera in North America (nearctica.com)

36 species in 4 genera worldwide (Florida State Collection of Arthropods)

Size

adult 6-25 mm

Identification

Flattened body form, elongate, with 11-segmented antennae. Elytra rounded at its apex. Five abdominal sternites.

Range

represented on all continents except Africa

Habitat

adults and larvae usually found under bark of dead trees

Food

adults and larvae presumably predaceous on other arthropods

Remarks

Taxonomy and biology of this family is not well known; Michael Thomas is planning to revise the family worldwide.

Print References

American Beetles, Vol. 2, Chapter 82 (1)

A Manual of Common Beetles of Eastern North America (2)

Peterson Field Guides: Beetles (3)

Internet References

adult images plus description, distribution, biology, etc. of worldwide genera/species (Michael Thomas, Florida State Collection of Arthropods)

Works Cited

1.	American Beetles, Volume II: Polyphaga: Scarabaeoidea through Curculionoidea By Arnett, R.H., Jr., M. C. Thomas, P. E. Skelley and J. H. Frank. (eds.)

2.	A Manual of Common Beetles of Eastern North America By Dillon, Elizabeth S., and Dillon, Lawrence

3.	Peterson Field Guides: Beetles By Richard E. White

Contributed by Stephen Cresswell on 1 October, 2004 - 6:54am
Additional contributions by Robin McLeod, Phillip Harpootlian
Last updated 16 August, 2006 - 11:08pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2008 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version