Net-winged-beetles
Guides
Caenia
Caenia is a genus of net-winged beetles in the family Lycidae, established by Newman in 1838. The genus contains at least three described species, including Caenia amplicornis and Caenia dimidiata. Members of this genus share the characteristic reticulated wing venation that defines the family Lycidae. The genus is part of a diverse group of beetles known for their aposematic coloration and soft, flexible elytra.
Calochrominae
Calochrominae is a subfamily of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae) established by Lacordaire in 1857. The subfamily contains at least 4 genera and more than 30 described species, organized into two tribes: Calochromini and Slipinskiini. Members of this group share the characteristic elytra with net-like venation typical of Lycidae.
Cupes
Cupes is a genus of reticulate beetles in the family Cupedidae, containing a single extant species, Cupes capitatus, native to eastern North America. The genus has a remarkably diverse fossil record, with numerous extinct species described from Eocene to Pliocene deposits in Europe and China. The extant species is small, averaging 7.8 mm in length, with distinctive orange head ornamentation. The disjunct distribution—living species in North America versus abundant fossils in Europe—suggests a formerly widespread group with a contracted modern range.
Eropterus
Eropterus is a genus of net-winged beetles in the family Lycidae, established by Green in 1951. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed primarily in North America and East Asia. Species in this genus share the characteristic reticulated elytra typical of Lycidae, with some species displaying distinctive color patterns including yellow or orange markings. The genus includes both historically described species (E. trilineatus, 1846) and more recently described taxa (E. masumotoi, 2011).
Eros
Eros is a genus of net-winged beetles in the family Lycidae, established by Newman in 1838. The genus contains at least three described species. Net-winged beetles are characterized by soft, flexible elytra with a distinctive net-like pattern of raised veins. Members of this genus are found in the Neotropical region, with distribution records from Colombia.
Erotides
Erotides is a genus of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae) established by Waterhouse in 1879. Species are medium-sized with elongated, flattened bodies and strongly costate, reticulate elytra forming the characteristic net-like pattern. The genus is distributed across the Oriental and Australasian regions, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. Members participate in Müllerian and Batesian mimicry complexes and are chemically defended.
Erotinae
Erotinae is a subfamily of net-winged beetles within the family Lycidae, established by J.L. LeConte in 1881. The subfamily contains approximately 10 genera and 19 described species, including genera such as *Eros*, *Erotides*, *Eropterus*, and *Platycis*. Members of this subfamily share the characteristic reticulate wing venation typical of Lycidae but are distinguished from the larger subfamily Lycinae by specific morphological features. The group is primarily distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, with representatives in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Lycidae
net-winged beetles
Lycidae is a cosmopolitan family of beetles commonly known as net-winged beetles. Adults are typically elongated, 10–15 mm in length, with brick-red or black-and-orange coloration and long, serrated antennae. The family is notable for its distinctive reticulated wing venation, chemical defenses against predators, and participation in extensive Müllerian mimicry complexes with other beetles and even moths. Several lineages exhibit neoteny, with females retaining larval morphology into adulthood.
Lycinae
net-winged beetles
Lycinae is a subfamily of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae) containing approximately 11 tribes and numerous genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Members are characterized by their soft, flexible elytra with prominent net-like venation. The subfamily includes familiar genera such as Lycus, Calopteron, and Macrolycus. Many species exhibit aposematic (warning) coloration, often in orange, red, or black patterns.
Lygistopterus
net-winged beetles
Lygistopterus is a genus of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae) comprising approximately 11 described species. The genus exhibits the characteristic aposematic coloration typical of Lycidae, with bright orange and black patterns advertising chemical defenses. Species occur across North America and Europe, including an Italian endemic, L. anorachilus. Members of this genus are distinguished from related lycid genera by specific morphological features of the head, prothorax, and male genitalia.
Plateros
net-winged beetles
Plateros is a large genus of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae), with over 900 species worldwide and 47 currently described species. It is the largest genus in its family and belongs to the tribe Platerodini. The genus has a wide distribution across the Americas, Africa, and Asia, including Sri Lanka, Indochina, Korea, and Japan. Members are predominantly found in tropical regions, with some species extending into temperate zones.