Subfamily Dorcatominae

Mesocoelopodinae (Tricoryninae) is usually treated as a distinct subfamily, but evidence for that arrangement is rather weak

Dorcatominae C.G. Thomson 1859

5 tribes, with 11 genera in our area and 45 genera total; the most species-rich subfamily in NA

contains many small species; maximum size is ~4 mm

Body short, often +/- ball-like, or moderately elongate, rarely cylindrical (genus Petalium only). Antennae usually with three terminal segments enlarged and triangular, rarely rather parallel-sided, or branched. In two genera, the antennae are serrate, with the terminal segments unmodified (Mesocoelopus, Neosothes).

Antennae usually completely hidden in retraction, rarely last segments partly visible (genus Calymmaderus).

Legs retracted in grooves of the ventral surface, like in pill beetles (Byrrhidae).

world-wide

the group contains, besides wood-borers, many fungivores and species breeding in dry, non-woody plants