HISTERIDAE

Author: John F. Lawrence.

Classification

Suborder Polyphaga, Series Staphyliniformia, Superfamily Hydrophiloidea.

Description

Antenae with 8 to 11 segments and a 1 or 3 segments club. Antennal insertions exposed or concealed. Visible portion of procoxa transverse with the trochantin concealed. Procoxal cavity externally open and internally open. Mesocoxae separated by more than 1 coxal width, with mesocoxal cavity laterally open. Tarsal formula 5-5-5 or 5-5-4. Number of ventrites 5 without ventrites connate. Body length 0.5-20 mm. Body form variable but almost always glabrous. Antennae geniculate, with compact club. Elytra truncate exposing 1 or 2 tergites.

Quick identification

Histeridae is a very distinctive family, members of which may vary considerably in shape but are recognized by the geniculate antennae with a very compact club (third figure) and elytra which are truncate exposing 1 or 2 tergites and have a reduced number of striae. Most histerids are glabrous and shiny, but there are exceptions, and some myrmecophilous species have tufts of hairs. One of the more unusual groups in this region is the Trypanaeinae (fifth figure), which is elongate and cylindrical, occurring in the burrows of wood-boring beetles.

Genera occurring in Costa Rica

Abraeinae: Acritus, Aeletes, Plegaderus, Tetetriosoma, Tetetrius.
Trypanaeinae: Coptotrophis, Trypanaeus, Xylonaeus.
Saprininae: Euspilotus, Geomysaprinus, Hypocaccus, Saprinus, Xerosaprinus.
Dendrophilinae: Bacanius, Carcinops, Paromalus, Xestipyge.
Tribaliinae: Epierus, Idolia, Plagiogramma.
Histerinae: Baconia, Hister, Hololepta, Omalodes, Operclipygus, Phelister, Platyeutidium.
Hetaeriinae: Anasynodites, Aphanister, Bastactister, Chelister, Clientister, Convivister, Daitrosister, Ecclisister, Hetaeriomorphus, Hippeutister, Homalopygus, Latronister, Mesynodites, Monotonodites, Morphetaerius, Nevermannister, Nymphister, Oudaimosister, Panoplitellus, Paratropinus, Pinaxister, Psalidister, Pterotister, Pulvinister, Sternocoelopsis, Synoditulus, Troglosternus, Ulkeopsis, Ulkeus.

© CSIRO Emtomology, 1999	© CSIRO Emtomology, 1999	© CSIRO Emtomology, 1999 Antennae geniculate with compact club

© CSIRO Emtomology, 1999	© CSIRO Emtomology, 1999 Trypanaeinae	© CSIRO Emtomology, 1999

© CSIRO Emtomology, 1999