Parasitic Flat Bark Beetles

Passandridae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Cucujoidea
Family: Passandridae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Passandridae: /pæs.ænˈdɹaɪ.diː/

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

Images

Taphroscelidia linearisMontage2 by Michael C. Thomas. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Catogenus rufus 188561564 by Reiner Jakubowski. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Catogenus rufus 102831301 by Reiner Jakubowski. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Catogenus rufus 6038252 by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Catogenus rufus 275896431 by Reiner Jakubowski. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Catogenus rufus 101329832 by Richard Stovall. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Passandridae, or parasitic flat bark beetles, are a unique family of beetles characterized by their larval stage being ectoparasitic on other wood-inhabiting insects. They comprise of over 100 described species worldwide, primarily residing in warmer climates.

Physical Characteristics

Adults are small to moderate sized beetles, 3-35mm, with heavily sclerotized bodies either dorso-ventrally compressed or subcylindrical in cross section. Generally brown or black, they have prominent mandibles, confluent gular sutures, thick moniliform antennae, unequal tibial spurs on the front legs, and a characteristic system of grooves and/or carina on the dorsal surface. Larvae are heavily sclerotized, flattened, and spiny in first instars, later becoming physogastric with simple setae, short unsegmented legs, and reduced mouthparts.

Identification Tips

Look for small to moderate sized beetles with prominent mandibles and a characteristic pattern of grooves or carina on the dorsal surface. Larvae are highly modified, flattened, and spiny.

Habitat

Adults are typically found under bark or in wood-borer tunnels.

Distribution

Common in much of the world, especially in warmer climates; in North America, they are present in eastern regions and the southern US.

Diet

Larvae are ectoparasitic on the immature stages of wood-inhabiting insects, especially Cerambycidae. Adult feeding habits are unknown; they are likely predaceous.

Life Cycle

Life cycle details are not fully studied, but larvae develop as ectoparasites on other insects.

Ecosystem Role

As ectoparasites, larvae play a role in controlling populations of wood-inhabiting insects.

Evolution

The oldest record of the family, Mesopassandra, is from mid-Cretaceous aged Burmese amber, indicating a long evolutionary history dating back around 100 million years.

Similar Taxa

Cucujidae