Silvanid Flat Bark Beetles

Silvanidae

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Silvanidae: /sɪlˈvænɪˌdiː/

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

Images

<div class="fn"> <div style="font-size:0.9em;display:inline-block;">Danish: <div style="display:inline-block" dir="ltr" lang="da"><i>Ester krones af Ahasverus</i></div></div><div style="display: none;">title QS:P1476,da:"Ester krones af Ahasverus"</div> <div style="display: none;">label QS:Lda,"Ester krones af Ahasverus"</div></div> by Philip Galle . Used under a Public domain license.
Esther knielt voor Ahasverus, RP-P-H-Z-199 by Rijksmuseum. Used under a CC0 license.
Ahasverus longulus2 Montage by Michael C. Thomas. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
<div class="fn"> <div style="font-size:0.9em;display:inline-block;">Danish: <div style="display:inline-block" dir="ltr" lang="da"><i>Ester bliver kronet af Ahasverus</i></div></div><div style="display: none;">title QS:P1476,da:"Ester bliver kronet af Ahasverus"</div> <div style="display: none;">label QS:Lda,"Ester bliver kronet af Ahasverus"</div></div> by Maarten van Heemskerck . Used under a Public domain license.
Emporius signatus Jacobson by Georgiy Jacobson. Used under a Public domain license.
Ahasverus-advena-01-fws by Francisco Welter-Schultes. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Silvanidae, commonly known as silvan flat bark beetles, constitutes a family of beetles with approximately 500 described species, predominantly found in tropical regions. They play vital roles in ecosystems as decomposers and some species are significant agricultural pests. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Brontinae and Silvaninae, each exhibiting different ecological and physical traits.

Physical Characteristics

Small, brownish, flattened, pubescent and densely punctured beetles ranging from 1.2-15 mm in length. Typically exhibit a 5-5-5 tarsal formula with short, strongly clubbed to very elongate antennae. Many genera feature grooves or carinae on the head and/or pronotum, with lateral margins of the pronotum often dentate or denticulate.

Identification Tips

Identification can be made based on physical characteristics such as size, shape, color, and the presence of specific morphological features like grooves or tarsal formulas.

Habitat

Primarily found under dead bark or in subcortical habitats, leaf-litter, and soil. Certain species inhabit wet forests or alpine regions. Some genera are associated with ant-plants or other specialized habitats.

Distribution

Worldwide; the family is most diverse in the tropics, particularly in the Old World.

Diet

Primarily fungivorous, with some species being important pests of stored grains.

Ecosystem Role

Act as decomposers by feeding on fungi and contributing to nutrient cycles in their habitats.

Economic Impact

Includes significant pest species such as Oryzaephilus surinamensis, the sawtoothed grain beetle, and O. mercator, the merchant grain beetle, which affect stored grains.

Collecting Methods

  • Trapping
  • Handpicking

Preservation Methods

  • Pinning
  • Ethanol preservation
  • Drying

Evolution

Recent phylogenetic studies suggest a close relationship with Cucujidae and Passandridae, indicating complex evolutionary histories among cucujoids.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Some species within this family are often confused with other beetles due to their small size and flat shape; not all species are grain pests.

Tags

  • beetles
  • Silvanidae
  • Cucujoidea
  • fungivorous
  • agricultural pests