False Flower Beetles
Scraptiidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
- Family: Scraptiidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Scraptiidae: //skræpˈtaɪɪdiː//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
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Summary
The family Scraptiidae, also known as false flower beetles, encompasses a small group of beetles characterized by their association with flowers and the decomposition of wood, with a significant diversity worldwide.
Physical Characteristics
1.0–13.5 mm in length.
Identification Tips
Adults are mostly found on flowers; often seen in large numbers, distinguishing them from other beetles may involve looking for their small size and specific habitat associations.
Habitat
Adults are often found on flowers, and larvae are typically found under the bark of dead trees, in dead logs, or in lichens.
Distribution
Worldwide distribution, with approximately 45 species in 10 genera in the local fauna; estimated 500 species in 35 genera globally.
Diet
Adults feed primarily on flower parts; larvae are typically detritivorous, feeding on decaying wood or plant materials.
Life Cycle
The life cycle includes stages from egg to larva, pupa, and adult, with larvae developing in decaying wood.
Ecosystem Role
Play a role in the decomposition of wood and the nutrient cycling in their habitats.
Collecting Methods
- Hand collecting from flowers or foliage
- Sweeping through vegetation
- Using pitfall traps
Preservation Methods
- Drying specimens
- Ethanol preservation
- Pinned specimens for display
Evolution
The oldest fossils of Scraptiidae date back to the Eocene, indicating a long evolutionary history.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Commonly mistaken for true flower beetles due to their name, but they are part of the Tenebrionoidea superfamily.
Tags
- beetles
- Scraptiidae
- False Flower Beetles
- Coleoptera
- insects