Ommatidae

Common Name

Ommatids or ommatid beetles

Overview

Ommatidae is a small and ancient family of beetles, now predominantly known through fossil records. These beetles existed from the Cretaceous period to the present, with modern representatives being quite rare.

Taxonomy

Key Characteristics

  • Body Shape: Elongated and cylindrical
  • Size: Small to medium-sized, typically up to 10 mm in length
  • Antennae: Filiform (thread-like) and relatively short
  • Wings: Well-developed, with distinctive veined patterns
  • Eyes: Compound eyes, often quite large relative to head size

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Ommatidae is not well-documented, but typical stages for beetles include egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Fossil evidence suggests similar developmental stages.

Behavior and Ecology

  • Habitat: Found in ancient forests and fossil records suggest they lived in humid, temperate environments
  • Diet: Likely detritivores or phytophagous, feeding on plant material or decaying organic matter
  • Reproduction: Specific mating behaviors are not well-studied, but likely involve pheromone attraction as in other beetles

Notable Species

  • Omma stanleyi: One of the few extant species, found in Australia.
  • Beutelius reici: A newly described genus and species from Myanmar amber.

Conservation

Most modern species are rare and confined to specific habitats. Conservation efforts focus on preserving their habitats to ensure their survival.

Significance to Humans

Ommatidae primarily hold scientific interest due to their ancient lineage and contribution to understanding beetle evolution and diversity.

Fun Facts

  • Ancient Lineage: Ommatids have existed for over 120 million years, originating in the Mesozoic era.
  • Fossil Finds: Many extant and extinct species are known from well-preserved fossils in amber.
  • Living Relics: Modern Ommatidae are considered living relics due to their close resemblance to ancient forms.
  • Visual Prowess: Their large compound eyes suggest they were visually oriented beetles.
  • Rarity: Finding living examples of Ommatidae is quite a challenge due to their scarcity and specific habitat requirements.