Byrrhoidea

Byrrhoidea

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Byrrhoidea: /bɪˈroʊɪdiə/

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

Images

Cytilus alternatus 65453418 by Dan MacNeal. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Cytilus alternatus 8184713 by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
2017 03 27 Byrrhus pilula 2 by Slimguy. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Cytilus alternatus 65453426 by Dan MacNeal. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Odd little beetle (NH266) (14511001366) by David Short from Windsor, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
2017 03 27 Byrrhus pilula 3 by Slimguy. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Byrrhoidea is a superfamily of beetles primarily associated with aquatic habitats, featuring various families that exhibit diverse wing development and feeding behaviors.

Physical Characteristics

Adults of many Byrrhoidea have exocone eyes with expanded corneal lens. The anterior edge of the scutellar shield is often abruptly elevated. The degree of wing development varies among Byrrhoidea, including macroptery (fully developed wings), brachyptery (wings reduced), microptery (wings reduced to small remnants), and aptery (no wings). Larvae of most Limnichidae have one pair of anal hooks, while Cneoglossidae and Ptilodactylidae have three or more hooks on each side of the tenth segment. Most byrrhoid larvae have biforous anterior abdominal spiracles.

Identification Tips

Look for the presence of exocone eyes and the wing structure, which varies among species. The anterior edge of the scutellar shield can be a key feature for identification.

Habitat

Byrrhoids primarily inhabit aquatic and semi-aquatic environments such as rapid cool streams, waterside vegetation, and damp soils.

Distribution

Found in various ecosystems, especially those with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.

Diet

Generally herbivorous, feeding on algae, moss, liverworts, lichens, or grass roots.

Life Cycle

Life cycle details include aquatic and semi-aquatic adults with larvae that may be terrestrial. Larvae typically have specific adaptations such as anal hooks or gill tufts depending on their family.

Ecosystem Role

Byrrhoids play a role in the aquatic ecosystem, particularly in nutrient cycling and as a food source for other organisms.

Evolution

Byrrhoidea's phylogeny suggests it may not be monophyletic, with studies indicating Buprestoidea being nested within it, and recent classifications split the clade Dryopoidea from it.

Similar Taxa

Tags

  • aquatic habitats
  • beetles
  • Byrrhoidea
  • insect ecology