Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A
1 > ,L antenna
Fig.
58 Head of a mud beetle - superfamily
Hydrophiloidea.
2. Family HYDROPHILIDAE (mud beetles)
(p. 127
et seq.)
A large group of aquatic and terrestrial beetles,
most species feeding on decaying vegetation;
maxillary palps often very long. Larvae usually
with anal cerci; some species are predacious.
EXAMPLE:
Helophorus nubilis
(wheat shoot
beetle).
Fig.
59 A rove beetle,
Tachyporus hypnorum -
family Staphylinidae (xl5).
Superfamily
STAPHYLINOIDEA
Tachyporus
spp., see Fig. 59) and a few relatively
large (e.g.
Staphylinus olens,
the devil's coach-
horse beetle). Many species are predacious but
most are associated with decaying organic
matter; larvae of some species of
Aleochara
are parasitic on pupae of certain Diptera, e.g.
Anthomyiidae. Larvae campodeiform, similar in
appearance to those of the family Carabidae but
with just one tarsal claw.
EXAMPLES:
Aleocharinae -
Aleochara
spp.
(small-headed rove beetles); Omaliinae -
Oligota flavicornis
(minute predatory rove
beetle); Lachyporinae -
Tachyporus
spp.
A very large group of elongate, mainly predatory
beetles, usually with the elytra truncated and
exposing at least three abdominal segments
(Fig.
59). Hindwings well developed but hidden be-
neath the elytra when in repose; antennae 10- or
11-segmented, filiform or clavate; abdomen
often terminating in a pair of styliform
appendages.
3. Family SILPHIDAE (burying beetles)
(p. 128
et seq.)
Often broad-bodied beetles with strongly
clubbed antennae. Most species are scavengers,
feeding on decaying organic matter, and some
are renowned for burying animal carcasses.
Larvae of variable form, those of some species
undergoing hypermetamorphosis and changing
from one distinct form to another.
EXAMPLE:
Aclypea
Superfamily
SCARABAEOIDEA
Antennae usually 10-segmented, with a variable
number of the apical segments expanded on one
side to form a lamellate club
(Fig.
60); stout-
bodied, with the eighth abdominal tergite drawn
into a more or less pointed pygidium. Larvae
scarabeiform and often strongly C-shaped, with
the last two to four abdominal segments notice-
ably swollen
(Fig.
61); head with powerful jaws;
eyes usually absent; thoracic legs strong but not
used for walking; cerci absent; many species
are dung- or soil-inhabiting; others (family
Lucanidae) feed in decaying wood.
opaca
(beet
carrion
beetle).
4. Family STAPHYLINIDAE (rove beetles)
A very large family of mainly small, usually black
beetles but some species brightly coloured (e.g.
