Histeridae

Pronunciation
/HIS-ter-ID-ee/
Category
Taxonomy
Singular
Histerid
Plural
Histerids

Definition

A family of beetles characterized by their short, stout bodies and often black, sometimes metallic or with red markings. They are commonly referred to as 'clown beetles' due to their distinctive appearance.

Full guide

Read the full Histeridae guide for identification, examples, and taxonomy.

Etymology

The name Histeridae comes from the Latin word *hister*, meaning 'actor' or 'player', referring to their behavior of playing dead when disturbed.

Example

Histeridae are often found in dung and decaying organic matter.

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