Polyphaga

Brullé, 1835

Water, Rove, Scarab, Long-horned, Leaf, and Snout Beetles

Infraorder Guides

Bostrichoidea(Carpet, Powderpost, and Deathwatch Beetles)
Buprestoidea(jewel beetles)
Byrrhoidea(Pill, Water and Toe-winged Beetles)
Chrysomeloidea(Leaf Beetles and Allies)
Cleroidea(Bark-gnawing, Checkered, and Soft-winged Flower Beetles)
Coccinelloidea(Lady, Fungus, Scavenger, and Bark Beetles)
Cucujoidea(flat bark beetles)
Curculionoidea(weevils)
Dascilloidea(soft bodied plant beetles)

is the largest and most diverse suborder of beetles, comprising approximately 90% of all described . The name derives from Greek 'poly-' (many) and 'phagein' (to eat), reflecting the group's varied feeding habits. The suborder is defined by two key morphological traits: the hind does not divide the first and second abdominal sternites, and the notopleural is absent. Polyphaga contains 144 across 16 superfamilies and five main infraorders.

Eburiini by no rights reserved, uploaded by Theo Summer. Used under a CC0 license.

Neoclytus conjunctus by (c) B Staffan Lindgren, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by B Staffan Lindgren. Used under a CC-BY license.

Neoclytus jouteli by (c) Gordon C. Snelling, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gordon C. Snelling. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Polyphaga: //pəˈlɪfəɡə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

can be distinguished from the other three suborders (Adephaga, Archostemata, and Myxophaga) by the position of the hind , which does not separate the first and second abdominal sternites. Additionally, the notopleural found under the pronotal shield in other suborders is absent in Polyphaga. These characters require examination of the thoracic and abdominal structure.

Images

Habitat

span virtually all terrestrial and freshwater environments where beetles occur, from forest floors and decaying wood to aquatic systems, flowers, and stored products. Specific habitat preferences vary enormously among constituent and superfamilies.

Distribution

Global distribution across all continents and major island systems. The suborder's constituent and show varied regional patterns, with some groups nearly and others restricted to specific biogeographic realms.

Similar Taxa

AdephagaThe other major suborder of beetles; distinguished by hind that divide the first and second abdominal sternites, and presence of notopleural .
ArchostemataA small, primitive suborder of beetles; distinguished by several plesiomorphic features including visible notopleural and different abdominal structure.
MyxophagaA small suborder of primarily aquatic beetles; distinguished by small size, aquatic habits, and different thoracic structure.

More Details

Classification

Five main infraorders are recognized: Bostrichiformia (furniture and skin beetles), Cucujiformia (lady beetles, longhorn beetles, weevils, leaf beetles), Elateriformia (click beetles and fireflies), Scarabaeiformia (scarab, stag, and dung beetles), and Staphyliniformia (rove beetles and water scavenger beetles). Phylogenetic studies suggest additional independent lineages including Scirtoidea, Clamboidea, Rhinorhipus, and Nosodendridae.

Diversity

Over 350,000 described across 144 in 16 superfamilies. The infraorder Cucujiformia contains the majority of phytophagous beetles and shows exceptional taxonomic diversity, particularly in the weevil superfamily Curculionoidea.