Soft-bodied Plant Beetles
Dascillidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Dascilloidea
- Family: Dascillidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dascillidae: //dæˈsɪlɪdiː//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Dascillidae, or soft-bodied plant beetles, are a family of beetles known for their elongate and soft-bodied appearance, primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia. They are significant in ecological roles, particularly in nutrient cycling through their larval diet of roots and decaying plant matter.
Physical Characteristics
Dense grey and/or brown vestiture covers entire body. Elongate and somewhat convex in cross-section; adult Dascillidae measure 4.5–25 mm long.
Identification Tips
Look for elongate body shape and dense grey/brown hairs covering the beetles.
Habitat
Larvae inhabit moist soil or under rocks; adults are typically found on grass during springtime.
Distribution
Found throughout the Northern Hemisphere and in Australia, with the highest diversity in Asia. Absent from Africa and tropical America; in the given area, they are found in California and Arizona.
Diet
Larvae are thought to feed on roots or decaying plant matter.
Life Cycle
The family exhibits a lifecycle typical of beetles, including larval and adult stages.
Ecosystem Role
Larvae likely play a role in nutrient cycling by feeding on roots and decaying plant matter.
Collecting Methods
- Hand collection on grass in springtime
- Soil sampling for larvae under rocks
Preservation Methods
- Pinning
- Ethanol preservation
Evolution
Dascillidae together with the family Rhipiceridae form the superfamily Dascilloidea; the family is divided into two poorly defined subfamilies, Karumiinae and Dascillinae.
Similar Taxa
Tags
- Dascillidae
- beetles
- insects
- entomology
- plant beetles