Antlike Flower Beetles
Anthicidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
- Family: Anthicidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Anthicidae: /ænˈθɪsɪdiː/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
The Anthicidae family, known as ant-like flower beetles, comprises a diverse group of small beetles that resemble ants. They play important roles in ecosystems as both predators of pests and as pollinators.
Physical Characteristics
Body elongate, ant-like appearance; heads constrict just in front of the pronotum forming a neck, posterior end of pronotum usually narrow; slender legs and antennae; sparsely covered with small hairs (setae).
Identification Tips
Look for reddish or yellow markings; presence of a horn on the pronotum in Notoxinae; size ranges from 1.25 to 18 mm, typically 2 to 12 mm in the northeastern region.
Habitat
Adults are found on flowers and foliage; larvae are typically in soil, leaf litter, rotten wood, under stones, logs or debris, waterbanks, littoral zones, grasslands, and deserts.
Distribution
Widely distributed; over 3,500 species in >100 genera worldwide, with significant representation in North America.
Diet
Adults are omnivorous, consuming small arthropods, pollen, fungi, and a variety of organic materials. Larvae can be omnivorous, predatory, or fungus-eating.
Life Cycle
Life cycle includes a stage where larvae might bore into plant tubers; specifics on developmental stages are not provided.
Predators
Predators may be deterred by the accumulation of cantharidin, a chemical they acquire.
Ecosystem Role
Some species serve as biological control agents by preying on pest eggs or larvae; important in pollination as they are often found on flowers.
Economic Impact
Some species may positively impact agriculture by controlling pest populations, but details are scarce.
Collecting Methods
- Sweep netting
- Pitfall trapping
- Hand collecting on flowers
Preservation Methods
- Pinning
- Ethanol storage
Evolution
Earliest members date back to the Early Cretaceous (Barremian) in Lebanese amber.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Can be mistaken for true ants due to their appearance; not all species are pests or harmful.
Tags
- beetles
- Anthicidae
- insects
- entomology
- pollination