Cleroidea

Definition

A superfamily of beetles (Coleoptera) comprising approximately 10,000 described species across seven families, including the checkered beetles (Cleridae) and soft-bodied plant beetles (Melyridae). Members are typically slender with flexible, often hairy or scaly elytra that lack the extreme hardness found in many other beetle groups. Cleroidea occupies a basal position within the suborder Polyphaga and exhibits diverse feeding habits, with many species being predatory, mycophagous, or pollen-feeding.

Etymology

From Clerus (type genus of Cleridae, from Greek kleros 'lot' or 'heritage') + -oidea (superfamily suffix)

Example

The melyrid genus Malachius, a member of Cleroidea, exhibits the superfamily's characteristic soft elytra and dense pubescence; adults frequent flowers where they feed on pollen and small arthropods, while larvae are often ground-dwelling predators.

Related Terms

• Coleoptera
• Polyphaga
• Cleridae
• Melyridae
• Trogossitidae
• superfamily
• checkered beetle
• soft-winged flower beetle

Usage Notes

As with all suprafamilial taxon names, Cleroidea is treated as a singular proper noun in scientific usage (e.g., 'Cleroidea is characterized by...'). The superfamily has undergone significant taxonomic revision; some historical treatments placed Trogossitidae in Cucujoidea, and phylogenetic relationships among the constituent families remain active areas of research. The soft, flexible elytra of many cleroideans make them challenging to preserve in standard pinned collections, often requiring specialized mounting techniques.