Flower-visitation
Guides
Anthicidae
Ant-like Flower Beetles, Ant-like Beetles
Anthicidae is a family of beetles comprising over 3,500 species in approximately 100 genera. Members are commonly known as ant-like flower beetles due to their striking morphological resemblance to ants. The family is characterized by a constricted head forming a distinct neck and slender appendages that enhance the ant-mimicry. Adults are omnivorous, feeding on small arthropods, pollen, fungi, and other available materials. The family has fossil representatives dating to the Early Cretaceous (Barremian) from Lebanese amber.
Elaphidiini
Elaphidiini is a tribe of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The tribe has historically been spelled "Elaphidionini" in some literature. It contains numerous genera distributed across the Americas, with particularly high diversity in the Neotropical region. Recent taxonomic work has described new species from Colombia, Mexico, and the Caribbean, including Sphaerion costae, Mephritus costae, Eurysthea nogueirai, and Eurysthea nakagomei. The genus Elaphidion occurs in the Puerto Rican Bank and Antigua, with known host plant associations and described larval biology for some species.
Molorchus
Molorchus is a genus of small longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the tribe Molorchini. Adults are known for their striking resemblance to ants, representing a clear case of Batesian mimicry. The genus contains multiple subgenera and species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults are frequently encountered on flowers, particularly those of dogwood (Cornus spp.), where they feed on pollen and nectar.
Mythicomyiidae
micro bee flies, mythicomyiids, microbombyliids
Mythicomyiidae are minute flies (0.5–5.0 mm) historically treated as a subfamily of Empididae or Bombyliidae, but elevated to family rank based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The family comprises 35 genera and over 450 described species, with hundreds more awaiting description. They exhibit highest diversity in Africa and are especially abundant in desert and semi-desert regions globally. The lineage dates to the Middle Jurassic, making it older than any known Bombyliidae.
Tanarthrus
Tanarthrus is a genus of antlike flower beetles in the family Anthicidae, established by LeConte in 1851. The genus comprises approximately 15 described species. Members of this genus exhibit the characteristic ant-mimicking morphology typical of Anthicidae, with an elongated, narrow body form and constricted waist. These beetles are generally small and inhabit diverse terrestrial environments. Specific ecological details for the genus remain poorly documented in published literature.