Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada

Subfamily Cephaloplectinae - Horseshoe Crab Beetles

Limulodes paradoxus Limulodes paradoxus Limulodes paradoxus ant nest inquiline - Limulodes
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga
No Taxon (Series Staphyliniformia)
Superfamily Staphylinoidea
Family Ptiliidae (Featherwing[ed] Beetles)
Subfamily Cephaloplectinae (Horseshoe Crab Beetles)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Limulodinae, Limulodidae
Explanation of Names
Cephaloplectinae Sharp 1883
Numbers
TBA spp. in 2 genera in our area, ~37 spp. in 5 genera total(1)
Identification
eyes and hind wings absent; prothorax large, usually convex, ventrally with a 'prosternal lobe' that extends into region of meso/meta-sternum; elytra truncate, usually exposing terminal abdominal segments; antennae clavate, composed of 8 to 10 segments; mesosternum with elevated process between mesocoxae; metasternum extending between mesocoxae(1)
Range
New World (4 genera) and Australia (1 genus)(1)
Habitat
associated with ants(1)