Ciidae

Leach, 1819

Minute Tree-Fungus Beetles, Shelf Fungus Beetles

Subfamily Guides

1

, commonly known as or shelf , are a of small beetles within the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. and larvae inhabit fruiting bodies of bracket fungi (Polyporales), particularly Polyporaceae and Corticiaceae, where they burrow inside the fungal tissue. The family is most diverse in warmer regions but has a distribution extending to northern latitudes including Scandinavia. Development from to adult can occur in as little as two months, and some are parthenogenetic. A few species, notably Cis chinensis, are recognized as pests of commercially dried fungi.

Octotemnus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.Ceracis singularis by (c) Bennett Grappone, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bennett Grappone. Used under a CC-BY license.Ciidae by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ciidae: /ˈkiː.aɪ.iː/

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Habitat

Fruiting bodies of bracket fungi (Polyporales), primarily Polyporaceae and Corticiaceae; coarse woody debris. Beetles inhabit old specimens or old tissue of the fungi, with larvae and burrowing inside the fungal substrate.

Distribution

distribution with highest diversity in warmer regions; extends polewards to Scandinavia and other northern areas. Present on all major continents including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Diet

Fungal tissue of bracket fungi (Polyporales); specifically the fruiting bodies of Polyporaceae and Corticiaceae.

Host Associations

  • Polyporaceae - and food sourcePrimary of bracket fungi
  • Corticiaceae - and food sourceSecondary of bracket fungi
  • Stereaceae - Documented for some
  • Antrodia xantha - Specific fungus for Cis chinensis in Switzerland
  • Ganoderma lucidum - for pest Cis chinensis in commercial settings

Life Cycle

Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Development from egg to adult has been observed to take as little as two months in some . Larval development includes 4-5 larval stages. Some species are parthenogenetic.

Behavior

and larvae burrow inside fungal fruiting bodies. Adults have been observed flying to and from fungal substrates. Some show sexual involving abdominal fovea in males for secretion. Heavy by phoretic mites (Histiostomatidae) have been documented on some .

Ecological Role

Primary consumers of fungal tissue in bracket fungi . Serve as prey for predatory insects including rove beetles (Staphylinidae), checkered beetles (Cleridae), and larvae. Act as for phoretic mites and endoparasitoid wasps in the Mymaridae.

Human Relevance

Some are minor pests of commercial dried mushrooms and fungi, particularly Cis chinensis which infests dried fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum. Otherwise of minimal direct economic importance.

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