Ocellate Rove Beetles

Omaliinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Staphylinoidea
Family: Staphylinidae
Subfamily: Omaliinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Omaliinae: //ˌoʊˌmæl.iˈaɪ.ni//

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

Images

The Coleoptera of the British islands. A descriptive account of the families, genera, and species indigenous to Great Britain and Ireland, with notes as to localities, habitats, etc (1888) (14802560193) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.

Xenicopoda helenae by Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Entomology Collection (SBMNH-SBMNHENT). Used under a CC0 license.

Tanyrhinus singularis by Identified by Derek S. Sikes
Collector Jill Stockbridge, B. Wong

No photographer/preparator name given. Used under a CC0 license.

Georgiy Jacobson - Beetles Russia and Western Europe - plate 12 by see in description. Used under a Public domain license.

Olophrum rotundicolle Jacobson by Georgiy Jacobson. Used under a Public domain license.

Olophrum rotundicolle (Sahlberg, 1830) (3820752862) by Udo Schmidt from Deutschland. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Summary

Omaliinae are a diverse subfamily of rove beetles that are often carabid-like, with a variety of ecological roles primarily as predators, but some also exhibit phytophagous or saprophagous behavior. They are characterized by their peculiar anatomy and significant presence in various habitats in North America.

Physical Characteristics

Adults are 1.5 to 6 mm long, broader in shape than most Staphylinidae with longer elytra. They possess a broad neck, slightly broader antennae at the apex, and tarsi with five articles. A pair of ocelli is usually present near the base of the head, and in some genera, the elytra cover the entire abdomen.

Identification Tips

Look for broad-bodied rove beetles with long elytra and the presence of ocelli near the head base. Size ranges between 1.5 to 6 mm.

Habitat

Found in leaf litter, decaying fruits, moss, and under the bark of dead trees. Some species also inhabit flowers.

Distribution

North America has 55 genera and more than 200 species of Omaliinae.

Diet

Adults and larvae are primarily predatory, feeding on freshly killed small insects, although some species are phytophagous (damaging flowers) or saprophagous (feeding on decaying fruits).

Ecosystem Role

Predatory roles in ecosystems, feeding on small insects and contributing to the breakdown of organic materials.

Evolution

The subfamily Omaliinae comprises over 100 genera and is divided into seven tribes: Anthophagini, Omaliini, Eusphalerini, Hadrognathini, Corneolabiini, Coryphiini, Aphaenostemmini.