Polyphagidae

Definition

A former family name now synonymized with Corydiidae, historically applied to a group of Blattodea (cockroaches) commonly called sand cockroaches. The name was widely used in 20th-century literature for approximately 40 genera distributed across five subfamilies, including desert-adapted species with specialized morphology for arid habitats. The current valid family name is Corydiidae, rendering Polyphagidae a junior synonym in modern taxonomy, though it persists in older publications and some databases.

Etymology

From Greek poly- (many) and phagein (to eat), referring to the broad feeding habits characteristic of the group.

Example

Arenivaga investigata, the desert cockroach, was historically classified in Polyphagidae and remains a key study organism for understanding cuticular water conservation in xeric-adapted blattodeans.

Synonyms

• Corydiidae

Related Terms

• Blattodea
• Corydiidae
• sand cockroach
• Arenivaga
• junior synonym

Usage Notes

Polyphagidae is now a synonym; current literature and databases should use Corydiidae. The name appears frequently in pre-2010s taxonomic works and specimen collections. Not to be confused with Polyphaga, a suborder of Coleoptera (beetles). GBIF and some aggregators still surface Polyphagidae as a parallel entry due to legacy data.