Bostrichoidea

Latreille, 1802

Carpet, Powderpost, and Deathwatch Beetles

is a superfamily of within the infraorder Bostrichiformia. It encompasses several including (powder-post and horned beetles), (), Endecatomidae, and (death-watch and ). Members are predominantly associated with dry and exhibit diverse ecological roles ranging from wood-boring to scavenging on dried matter. The superfamily is united by modified cryptonephridism, male structure, and larval mandibular lacking a mola.

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bostrichoidea: //bɒs.trɪˈkɔɪ.diə//

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Habitat

generally inhabit dry environments. Many are wood-borers, with some attacking monocotyledonous plants. typically bore into wood, though some species develop in other dry or animal materials including stored foods, , and museum specimens. occupy diverse dry where dried matter accumulates.

Distribution

Members of have worldwide distribution. Documented occurrences include: Iran (31 across 4 ), Sri Lanka ( including ), Eastern United States (diverse fauna associated with ), and Brazil (Ptininae observed under bark). The superfamily's constituent show varying geographic ranges with some species being pests of stored products.

Diet

Feeding habits vary by . primarily consume wood, with some feeding on monocotyledonous plants; Rhyzopertha dominica feeds on stored grains and cereal products. are predominantly wood-borers, though some species utilize other dry or animal materials including stored foods and . are typically scavengers on dried matter with high content; some species are or feed on pollen and nectar.

Host Associations

Ecological Role

Wood-boring members contribute to decomposition of dead wood and in forest . Some serve as for specialized (Winterschmidtiidae). in stored product and museum contexts represent significant economic and cultural heritage impacts.

Human Relevance

Several are significant pests. damage timber, wooden structures, and stored grain products. infest stored food products, , and museum collections including books, paper, and palm-leaf manuscripts. damage wool, fur, feathers, and museum specimens. The superfamily includes some of the most destructive pests of libraries, archives, and museums in tropical regions.

Similar Taxa

  • StaphylinoideaBoth superfamilies within include diverse lineages with some wood-associated ; distinguished by larval and structure
  • CucujoideaShares infraorder Bostrichiformia; distinguished by modified cryptonephridism and larval mandibular characters

More Details

Taxonomic composition

includes three widely recognized : (with Bostrichinae, Dinoderinae, Dysidinae, Euderiinae, , Polycaoninae, and Psoinae), (subfamilies Attageninae, Dermestinae, Megatominae, Orphilinae, Thorictinae, and Trinodinae), Endecatomidae, and (formerly , with subfamilies Alvarenganiellinae, Anobiinae, Dorcatominae, Dryophilinae, Ernobiinae, Eucradinae, Mesocoelopodinae, Ptilininae, Ptininae, and Xyletininae).

Mite associations

specialized of Winterschmidtiidae . Two new , Bostrichiella and Xylacarus, have been described from Xylobiops basilaris, Amphicerus bicaudatus, and A. cornutus in the Eastern United States, indicating complex phoretic or parasitic relationships between these beetles and astigmatid mites.

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