Omaliinae

Omaliinae
Acidota subcarinata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Staphyliniformia
Superfamily: Staphylinoidea
Family: Staphylinidae
Subfamily: Omaliinae
MacLeay, 1825

Omaliinae is a subfamily of Staphylinidae. [1]

Anatomy

Typical adults are 1.5 to 6 mm long, somewhat broader in shape than are most Staphylinidae, with somewhat longer elytra (without serial punctures), the head with a broad neck, the antennae which are only slightly broader at the apex, and tarsi of five articles. In almost all genera there is a pair of ocelli near the base of the head, and in a few the elytra cover the entire abdomen. The maxillary mala of larvae is strap-shaped, but not as long as in Proteininae, and the mandible lacks a prostheca.

Ecology

Habitat: Adults and larvae occur in leaf litter, decaying fruits, moss, and under bark of dead trees.

Collection Method: sifting forest litter.

Biology: Adults of several species and larvae of a few occur in flowers. Adults and larvae of many genera and species are believed to be predatory (they will feed on freshly killed small insects), though a few seem to be phytophagous (they damage flowers) or saprophagous (they will feed on decaying fruits).

Systematics and evolution

Omaliinae is a large subfamily (comprising over 100 genera), and is divided into the following seven tribes:

There are 55 genera and more than 200 species, in North America.

References

References

  1. ↑ Newton, A. F., Jr., M. K. Thayer, J. S. Ashe, and D. S. Chandler. 2001. 22. Staphylinidae Latreille, 1802. p. 272–418. In: R. H. Arnett, Jr., and M. C. Thomas (eds.). American beetles, Volume 1. CRC Press; Boca Raton, FL. ix + 443 p.

External links

Wikispecies has information related to: Omaliinae