Numbers
Insects of Cedar Creek lists 183 species for North America.
White
(2) lists 37 genera and 177 species for North America.
Size
Typically 1-7 mm, some to 15 mm.
Identification
Oblong or oval, convex to flattened, usually dark, sometimes with red or yellow marks. Head
not concealed from above. Dorsal surface has punctures, usually uniform in size. Elytra usually lack striations, but some genera, such as
Stelidota, have them. Typically, elytra are shortened , exposing 1-3 abdominal segments. In some genera elytra cover abdominal segments. Margins of pronotum usually expanded and thin. Examples of typical body forms:
On ventral surface, prosternum has a process produced between the front coxae (basal segment of legs):
Antennae have 11 segments, last three (sometimes two) forming an abrupt, ball-like club:
Tarsal formula is usually 5-5-5 (all tarsi 5-segmented), rarely 4-4-4. Fourth tarsal segment is reduced, and fifth is typically the longest:
Food
Most species feed on plant matter, often sap or decaying fruit. Some come to flowers or fungi and a few are associated with carcasses, either fresh or dried. Most larvae feed on plant matter but those of a few groups are are predatory, especially on larvae of bark and ambrosia beetles (subfamily
Scolytinae of the Curculionidae).
See Also
Erotylidae - Pleasing Fungus Beetles
Print References
Gordh, entries for
nitidous and family
(1)
Arnett, American Beetles, Vol. 2, Chapter 77
(4)
