Kateretidae

W. Kirby, 1837

Short-winged Flower Beetles

Genus Guides

Amartus
Anthonaeus
Brachypterolus(short-winged flower beetles)
Brachypterus(short-winged flower beetles)
Heterhelus
Kateretes

Kateretidae, commonly known as , is a of small beetles in the superfamily Cucujoidea. The family contains 10 extant and 4 extinct with at least 40 described distributed worldwide except New Zealand. feed on flowers (anthophagous), while larvae develop within flower corollas where they consume pollen (spermatophagous). The family has been the subject of taxonomic revision, with several Cretaceous amber fossils originally described as kateretids subsequently reclassified to other families.

Brachypterus by (c) Paul Cook, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Paul Cook. Used under a CC-BY license.

Kateretes by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Brachypterus urticae by no rights reserved, uploaded by Tero Linjama. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Kateretidae: /kætəˈrɛtɪdiː/

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

Identification

Kateretidae are distinguished from the closely related Nitidulidae (sap beetles) by their shortened that leave several abdominal tergites exposed. The is characterized by compact bodies, short with weakly clubbed tips, and reduced wings. Accurate identification to or level typically requires examination of genitalia and other microscopic features.

Images

Habitat

Associated with flowers; and larvae occur in floral .

Distribution

Worldwide distribution except New Zealand. Documented from the Maritime provinces of Canada (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island), Iran (North and Southwest regions), and Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden).

Diet

are anthophagous, feeding on flowers. Larvae are spermatophagous, consuming pollen within flower corollas.

Life Cycle

Larvae develop inside flower corollas.

Ecological Role

Flower visitors; larvae feed on pollen within flowers.

Similar Taxa

NitidulidaeClosely related in the same superfamily Cucujoidea; distinguished by Kateretidae having more abbreviated exposing more of the , and different antennal club structure. Several Cretaceous fossils originally described as Kateretidae have been reclassified to Nitidulidae Apophisandrinae or family Apophisandridae.

More Details

Fossil record

The includes four extinct : †Eoceniretes (Eocene), †Lebanoretes (Early Cretaceous, Lebanese amber). Several Cretaceous Kachin amber fossils originally described as kateretids (Cretaretes, Electrumeretes, Furcalabratum, Pelretes, Polliniretes, Protokateretes, Scaporetes) were subsequently argued to belong to the sap beetle Apophisandrinae or the separate family Apophisandridae. The claim that Pelretes was a of angiosperms based on associated pollen in coprolites has been questioned.

Taxonomic history

Authored by W. Kirby in 1837. Formerly treated as a of Nitidulidae by some authors, now generally recognized as a distinct within Cucujoidea. The superfamily placement has varied, with some classifications placing Kateretidae in Nitiduloidea rather than Cucujoidea.