Cleroidea
Cleroidea
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Cleroidea
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cleroidea: //klɛˈrɔɪdiə//
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Summary
Cleroidea is a superfamily of beetles characterized by their diverse feeding habits and physical traits. It contains over 10,000 species, with a notable presence of both soft-bodied and hard-bodied forms. The group includes several families with distinct ecological roles, highlighting their importance in various habitats.
Physical Characteristics
Cleroidea are typically slender beetles with soft, flexible elytra, and many species exhibit hairy or scaly surfaces. There is variation in sclerotization, with some having fully sclerotised elytra, while others are highly soft-bodied.
Identification Tips
Look for features such as the absence of a mandibular mola in both adult and larva, the presence of a basal mandibular process, and a pedunculate seta on the mala.
Habitat
Cleroids inhabit a variety of environments; predatory groups tend to be found in exposed areas, while fungus-feeders are generally cryptic, residing under bark and in rotting wood or fungi.
Distribution
Cleroidea is underrepresented in North America compared to other beetle superfamilies, with nine families present in the region and a total of eighteen recognized.
Diet
Diet varies significantly among the groups; Cleridae and Trogossitinae are predatory, the melyrid lineage feeds on pollen or nectar, while many other families are fungus-feeders.
Life Cycle
The life cycle specifics vary per family, but many species are diurnal and have distinct feeding and reproductive habits based on their ecological roles.
Ecosystem Role
Cleroidea play diverse roles in ecosystems varying from predators to pollinators and fungus-feeders, contributing to ecological balance.
Collecting Methods
- Hand collection
- Light traps
- Berlese funnels
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol
- Pinned specimens
- Dry storage
Evolution
Cleroidea includes ancient lineages with fossil records extending back to the Middle Jurassic, indicating a long evolutionary history.
Similar Taxa
- Cucujidae
- Bostrychidae
- Elateridae
Misconceptions
Some Cleroidea, particularly in the Cleridae family, are mimics of more dangerous insects, which may lead to confusion in identification.
Tags
- Coleoptera
- Beetles
- Ecology
- Biodiversity