Cupedidae

Cupedidae
Cupedidae
Tenomerga mucida
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Archostemata
Family: Cupedidae
Laporte, 1836
Genera

Adinolepsis
Ascioplaga
Cupes
Distocupes
Paracupes
Priacma
Prolixocupes
Rhipsideigma
Tenomerga

Cupedidae is a small family of beetles, notable for the square pattern of "windows" on their elytra (hard forewings), which gives the family their common name of reticulated beetles.

The family consists of about 30 species in nine genera, with a Pangean (worldwide) distribution. Many more extinct species are known, dating as far back as the Triassic.

These beetles tend to be elongate with a parallel-sided body, ranging in size from 5 to 25 mm, with colors brownish, blackish, or gray. The larvae are wood-borers, typically living in fungus-infested wood, and sometimes found in wood construction.

Males of Priacma serrata (western North America) are notable for being strongly attracted to common household bleach.

External links

Tree of Life