Rhipiceridae

Definition

A family of beetles (Coleoptera: Elateriformia) whose larvae are ectoparasitoids of cicada nymphs. Together with Dascillidae, Rhipiceridae constitutes the superfamily Dascilloidea. Adults are typically found in forested habitats and are often attracted to light.

Etymology

Example

Larvae of the cedar beetle Pelecinus polyturator (Rhipiceridae) burrow into soil to locate and feed on periodical cicada nymphs, completing their development before the cicada emerges.

Related Terms

• Dascillidae
• Dascilloidea
• Elateriformia
• Cicadidae
• ectoparasitoid
• cicada nymph

Usage Notes

Formerly treated as a subfamily of Dascillidae; now widely recognized as a distinct family. The family is small and relatively poorly collected; specimens are often encountered by cicada researchers rather than general beetle collectors. Not to be confused with Ripiphoridae, a morphologically convergent family of beetle parasitoids with similar life histories.