Numbers
ca. 80 spp. in ~20 genera in our area
(1) · ~4600 spp. in 160 genera total
(2)
Overview of our faunaTaxa not yet in the guide are marked (*)
Family LYCIDAE
Identification
Larvae have the head widened anteriorly, somewhat depressed; antennae short and robust, prominent, 2-segmented; and the abdomen largely 9-segmented. If a 10th segment is present, it is very small, hardly sclerotized, and not dorsally visible.
Range
worldwide and throughout NA; much more diverse in warmer climes
(1)Habitat
for many groups, typically woodlands
Food
Adults eat nectar and honeydew. Larvae: Despite anecdotal reports of carnivory, most, if not all, feed on myxomycetes or metabolic products of fungi
(1)Life Cycle
Larvae live in decaying tree trunks and branches.
(4)Remarks
Many spp. aggregate in one of their life stages
(1)
Many are unpalatable to predators due to ingesting toxic chemicals. They present aposematic colors that advertise their toxicity.(
Chemoecology. Defensive Chemistry of Lycid Beetles and of Mimetic Cerambycid Beetles that Feed on Them)
Larvae of (
Lampyridae) have the head elongate and subcylindrical, retractable antennae 3-segmented, and 10 abdominal segments present, the 10th concealed ventrally, the preceding segments thus often curved downward.
When disturbed, the elytral ridges are easily ruptured and will ooze hemolymph laced with odorous pyrazines. This smell warns predators of their bad taste.
(5)