Brachypsectridae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Elateroidea
Family: Brachypsectridae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Brachypsectridae: /brɑːkɪˈpsektraɪdiː/

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

Summary

Brachypsectridae is a family of small beetles known as Texas beetles, comprising two extant genera, Brachypsectra and Asiopsectra, with a distribution predominantly in arid regions and including various predators in their life cycle.

Physical Characteristics

Small (4–8 mm), flattened, relatively soft-bodied beetles, brown or yellow with large eyes. The elytra are indistinctly striated and antennae form a club.

Identification Tips

Look for small, flattened beetles with distinct coloration and body shape; Brachypsectra species are characterized by their relatively large eyes and unique larvae.

Habitat

Under bark or rocks, typically in arid regions.

Distribution

Found in the Western United States (California to Colorado and Texas), Mexico, Dominican Republic, South Asia, and Australia.

Diet

Predacious; larvae are ambush predators feeding on invertebrate prey using sucking mandibles.

Life Cycle

Larvae pupate inside a silken cocoon with pupation lasting around six weeks. Adults are likely short-lived compared to larvae.

Ecosystem Role

Larvae play a role as predators in their ecosystem, aiding in the control of invertebrate populations.

Collecting Methods

Collecting under bark or rocks
Sampling leaf litter

Preservation Methods

Dry storage in envelopes or containers
Preservation in ethanol

Evolution

The family was originally placed in Dascillidae and was later classified as its own family, Brachypsectridae, with the first species, Brachypsectra fulva, described by Horn in 1881. It has been further divided with the recent description of Asiopsectra in 2016.