| Pill beetles and allies | |
|---|---|
| Byrrhus pilula | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Elateriformia |
| Superfamily: | Byrrhoidea |
| Families | |
|
Byrrhidae - pill beetles |
|
The superfamily Byrrhoidea includes a number of beetle families, most of which are either aquatic or associated with a semi-aquatic habitat. In fact, other than the superfamily Hydrophiloidea, the majority of the remaining Polyphagan beetles which are aquatic are in this superfamily. These families were traditionally grouped as a separate superfamily, the Dryopoidea, which is no longer recognized. The vast majority of species are small (<1 cm), and predominantly dull brown or black.