Coleoptera Flashcards

Flashcards based on the Coleoptera lecture notes.

What are the suborders of Coleoptera?

Archostemata, Myxophaga, Adephaga, Polyphaga

What are the key characteristics of Archostemata?

Notopleural suture + first sternite complete

What are the key characteristics of Adephaga?

Notopleural surute + first sternite incomplete

What are the key characteristics of Polyphaga?

Without notopleural suture + first sternite complete

Which families are in the suborder Archostemata in South Africa?

Cupedidae and Micromalthidae

What are the key characteristics of the suborder Myxophaga?

Small beetles (0.8-1.5 mm), Notopleural suture, short antennomeres, four tarsomeres, aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats

What are the key characteristics of the suborder Adephaga?

Terrestrial and aquatic/semiaquatic, usually predators, one superfamily: Caraboidea

What are the key characteristics of the family Carabidae?

Widespread, different feeding habits, economic importance as predators, bioindicators

What are the key characteristics of the family Cicindelidae?

Voracious predators, often colourful

What are the key characteristics of the family Paussidae?

Myrmecophilous behavior (social parasitism), modified antennae, biology poorly known

What are the key characteristics of the family Rhysodidae?

Elongate reddish-brown to blackish, monoliform antennae, usually found under bark or in wood

What are the key characteristics of the family Dytiscidae?

Body well adapted for diving, predators, adult and larvae associated with water

What are the key characteristics of the family Gyrinidae?

Black or metallic in colour, oval body, two pair of eyes (air and water)

Haliplidae

Yellow to brownish, oval body and strongly convex, plate-like metacoxae

Polyphaga

Absence of notopleural suture, first abdominal sternite not divided by the hind coxae, 18 superfamilies

What are the key characteristics of the superfamily Hydrophyloidea?

Five families in SA, not all are aquatic, most groups are predatory, maxillary palpi elongate

What are the key characteristics of the family Hydraenidae?

Adults aquatic (fast-flowing or stagnant water), elytra with rows of punctures, few species can live in saturated saline pools

What are the key characteristics of the family Hydrophilidae?

Oval and convex, largest family of Hydrophiloidea, saprophagous, can be used in cases with forensic entomology

What are the key characteristics of the superfamily Histeroidea?

One family in SA: Histeridae, terrestrial, used in forensic ent. cases, tarsal formula usually 5-5-5

What are the key characteristics of the superfamily Staphylinoidea?

Variable in size, antennae with 11 antennomeres, elytra leaving a few tergites exposed

What are the key characteristics of the family Ptiliidae?

Feed on fungal spores or decaying organic matter, a few species in SA, group poorly studied

What are the key characteristics of the family Leiodidae?

Most species are scavengers, also spores feeders. Antennomere 8 modified

What are the key characteristics of the family Staphylinidae?

Body narrow and elongate, predators (also assoc. ants and termites). Recent reclassification (+ Silphinae)

What are the key characteristics of the superfamily Scarabaeoidea?

Variable in size, colour and shape, antennae lamellate

What are the key characteristics of the family Lucanidae?

Associated with decay wood, Antennae geniculate (and lamellate), Usually males with large mandibles

What are the key characteristics of the family Trogidae?

Most species necrophagous, sculptured dorsal surface

What are the key characteristics of the family Scarabaeidae?

Important role in the ecoss. maintanance, variable in colour and shape. Bioindicators

What are the key characteristics of the family Cetoniidae?

Associated with flowers and fruits, can cause economic losses, usually brightly colored

What are the key characteristics of the family Melolonthidae?

Mainly arid savanna regions, considered pests of sugarcane, corn, sorghum and fruits

What are the key characteristics of the superfamily Buprestoidea (Buprestidae)?

Often coloured (bright metallic). Thermophilous

What are the key characteristics of the family Elateridae?

Vary considerably in size, Scape longer than other antennomeres

What are the key characteristics of the superfamily Cantharoidea?

Usually predators. Antennae: ofiliform, Serrate, Flabellate

Lampyridae

Two subfamilies, Abdomen bears luminous organs oSexual recognition and attraction

What are the key characteristics of the family Lycidae?

Flattened and leaf-like shape, Antennae usually serrate

What are the key characteristics of the family Dermestidae?

Ovate and pubescent body

What are the key characteristics of the family Lymexylidae?

Elongate body, Broad eyes (almost touch on the frons)

What are the key characteristics of the family Cerambycidae?

Filiform antennae, Antennae at least half as long as the body

What are the key characteristics of the former Cucujoidea?

Procoxal cavities open Also known as Coccinelloidea

What are the key characteristics of the family Coccinellidae?

Most of species form aggregation during the winter. Biological control oAphids and mites

What are the key characteristics of the family Meloidae?

Usually associated with flowers oOr bees (Zonitinae), Tarsal claws bipartite, Hypermetamorphic

What are the key characteristics of the family Tenebrionidae?

Tarsal formula 5-5-4, Forecoxae cavity closed, Antennae coming from an “eyebrow”