Scydmaenidae

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Scydmaenidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Staphylinoidea
Family: Scydmaenidae
Leach, 1815
Subfamilies

Mastiginae
Scydmaeninae
(80 genera)
Wikispecies has information related to:

Scydmaenidae is a family of small (½–3 mm) beetles, sometimes called ant-like stone beetles. Many of the species have necks and a narrowing between thorax and abdomen, resulting in a passing resemblance to ants that inspires their common name.

Scydmaenids typically live in leaf litter and rotting logs in forests, preferring moist habitats. A number of types are known to feed on oribatid mites, using "hole scraping" and "cutting" techniques to get through the mite's hard shells.

These beetles occur worldwide, and the family includes about 4,500 species in 80 genera.

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