Melyridae

Definition

A family of soft-bodied beetles in the superfamily Cleroidea, characterized by flexible elytra, often vivid coloration, and frequently pubescent or setose integument. Adults are commonly flower visitors and predators of small arthropods; larvae are mostly predatory or mycophagous in soil, leaf litter, or decaying wood. The family includes the subfamilies Malachiinae (soft-winged flower beetles) and Dasytinae, among others.

Etymology

From Greek melē, 'limb' or 'song' (uncertain), + -idae family suffix.

Example

Malachius bipustulatus, a common European melyrid, frequents umbelliferous flowers where adults feed on pollen and prey on thrips.

Synonyms

• soft-winged flower beetles (for Malachiinae)

Related Terms

• Cleroidea
• Coleoptera
• Malachiinae
• Dasytinae
• Elytra
• flower visitation
• predatory beetles

Usage Notes

Melyridae is treated as plural in formal usage (e.g., 'the Melyridae are...'). The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision; some former subfamilies (e.g., Rhadalidae, Mauroniscidae) have been elevated to family rank in recent classifications. Distinguish from similarly soft-bodied Cantharidae (soldier beetles), which belong to the distinct superfamily Elateroidea.