Lycidae

Definition

A family of beetles (order Coleoptera) distinguished by soft, flexible elytra with a conspicuous reticulate (net-like) venation pattern that extends to the wing margin. Adults are often aposematically colored in orange, red, or black, and many species are chemically defended; they frequently aggregate in diurnal roosts on vegetation. Larvae are typically found in decaying wood or leaf litter where they feed on fungal mycelia.

Etymology

From Lycus (type genus, from Greek lykos 'wolf') + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Calopteron reticulatum, a common North American lycid, forms conspicuous mating aggregations on tree trunks where males transfer defensive compounds to females as nuptial gifts.

Synonyms

• Net-winged beetles

Related Terms

• Coleoptera
• elytron
• aposematism
• mimicry
• reticulate

Usage Notes

The family-level ending -idae is capitalized and italicized (or underlined) following zoological nomenclature; members are referred to as lycids or net-winged beetles. Lycidae are frequently involved in Müllerian mimicry complexes with other chemically defended beetles such as lampyrids and oedemerids. The soft, reticulate elytra are diagnostic and distinguish adults from similarly colored cerambycids or other beetles with hardened, non-veined forewings.