Pollen Beetles

Meligethinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Cucujoidea
Family: Nitidulidae
Subfamily: Meligethinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Meligethinae: /ˌmɛlɪˈɡɛθɪˌniː/

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

Images

Meligethes.viridescens.-.lindsey by James K. Lindsey. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Meligethes-atratus-02-fws by Francisco Welter-Schultes. Used under a CC0 license.

Musée entomologique illustré (6008703550) by Bisson-Cottard (Firm); Depuiset, A.; Fischbach, Gustave; Poteau, J.; Quartley, J.; Rothschild, J.; Specht, Friedrich; Vizetelly, Henry. Used under a Public domain license.

Meligethes-atratus-03-fws by Francisco Welter-Schultes. Used under a CC0 license.

Meligethes rufipes Jacobson by Georgiy Jacobson. Used under a Public domain license.

Pollen beetle. Meligethes sp ( M. atratus ? ) Nitidulidae (44133611502) by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Meligethinae is a subfamily of pollen beetles within the family Nitidulidae, with approximately 6 genera and 10 described species in the region. They are primarily associated with flowering plants and have a unique dietary focus on pollen.

Physical Characteristics

1.5 - 4 mm in length; protibiae with minutely denticulate external edge, appearing smooth if not viewed at a right angle, or clearly denticulate to serrate with up to 12 teeth.

Identification Tips

Large (2.6 - 4 mm), black species; dorsal surface opaque due to crowded puncturation: Meligethes atratus. Body length under 2.6 mm is usually shiny on the dorsal side, often with metallic luster representing Brassicogethes species. Key identification features include the teeth on the protibiae.

Habitat

Meligethinae species are typically found in association with flowering plants, as they are strictly anthophagous (pollen-feeding).

Distribution

Palaearctic and Oriental regions; most diverse in the Afrotropical Region and the warmer parts of Eurasia, poorly represented in the New World.

Diet

Strictly anthophagous, feeding on pollen from various flowering plants. Host specificity is primarily observed during the reproductive season, but flowers are visited intentionally throughout the year.

Life Cycle

Not specifically detailed in the provided information.

Reproduction

Not specifically detailed in the provided information, but involves association with flowering plants for feeding and potentially reproduction.

Ecosystem Role

As pollen feeders, they play a role in pollination and therefore contribute to plant reproduction.

Collecting Methods

Sweep nets
Hand collecting from flowers

Preservation Methods

Pinning
Ethanol preserves

Evolution

The subfamily Meligethinae has undergone taxonomic rearrangements, with the old genus Meligethes being split into several genera, reflecting diversification processes within this group.