Ceratocanthidae

Definition

A group of scarabaeoid beetles formerly ranked as a family, now treated as the subfamily Ceratocanthinae within Hybosoridae. Members are small, often compact beetles with reduced elytra and clubbed antennae; many species are associated with decaying wood, leaf litter, or termite nests. The group comprises three tribes with 43 genera and approximately 366 species, primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions.

Etymology

From Greek keratos (horn) + akantha (thorn), referring to the spiny or horn-like projections on some species.

Example

Ceratocanthinae beetles such as those in the genus Ceratocanthus are frequently collected in flight intercept traps placed near rotting logs in Neotropical forests.

Synonyms

• Ceratocanthinae (current subfamily rank)

Related Terms

• Hybosoridae
• Scarabaeoidea
• Scarabaeiformia
• Pleurosticti
• saproxylic

Usage Notes

The family-level name Ceratocanthidae persists in older literature and some databases (e.g., GBIF), but current classification places these beetles as Ceratocanthinae within Hybosoridae. Specialists should verify whether a source uses the obsolete family rank or the current subfamily treatment. The group is sometimes referred to as 'pill scarab beetles' due to their rounded, compact body form.