A revised subfamily classification of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera)

Abstract

Existing classifications of Tenebrionidae are reviewed briefly. The inclusion of the families Alleculidae, Lagriidae, and Nilionidae in Tenebrionidae is confirmed. The splitting off from this complex of a family, Tentyriidae, by Doyen is discussed and rejected. Various taxa which had been included in Tenebrionidae are excluded, amongst which Syrphetodes, Brouniphylax, Exohadrus, Arthopus, Cotulades, Docalis, and Latometus (=Elascus) have not previously been formally excluded. A new family, Archeocrypticidae, is established and defined briefly for Archeocrypticus, Sivacrypticus, and Enneboeus.Data from matrices based on adult and larval characters comparing Tenebrionidae with most other families of Tenebrionoidea (=Heteromera) are presented for derived characters in common, and for overall similarity. The families most closely related to Tenebrionidae according to these data are Zopheridae, Chalcodryidae, Merycidae, Archeocrypticidae, Synchroidae, Colydiidae, and Monommatidae; none is very close to Tenebrionidae, which has had a long independent history. Characters of the subfamilies recognised are tabulated, and interpreted in a phylogenetic dendrogram. Phylogeny is discussed in relation to adaptive changes in the biology of the various subfamilies, which are Zolodininae new subfamily, Pimeliinae new sense (including Tentyriinae), Toxicinae new sense, Phrenapatinae new sense (including Archeoglenini new tribe), Diaperinae new sense, Gnathidiinae, Tenebrioninae new sense, Alleculinae, Nilioninae, Lagriinae new sense, Cossyphinae, and Cossyphodinae new status.Biology, economic importance, copulation, orientation of the aedeagus, and distribution are discussed briefly.Definitions of the family and subfamilies and a key to subfamilies are given, and keys to tribes are included for the smaller subfamilies. The previously unknown larvae of the genera Zolodinus, Menimus, Archeoglenes, Lepispilus, and Nyctoporis are described in detail. Pupae of Zolodinus and Nyctoporis are described. Keys to larvae include many other genera which were hitherto unknown or poorly known.

Environmental correlates of darkling beetle population size (Col. Tenebrionidae) on the Cañadas of Teide in Tenerife (Canary Islands)

“…The life-history features of darkling beetle populations in arid ecosystems led to a suggestion that they are k-selected (sensu Pianka, 1970) relative to most insects (Gebien, 1939;Watt, 1974;Wharton, 1983;Hanrahan & Seely, 1990). Densities of many populations are relatively stable which suggest that darkling beetle populations may often be found near the carrying capacity of their environments (Doyen & Tschinkel, 1974;Calkins & Kirk, 1975;Thomas & Sleeper, 1977;Wise, 1981b).…”

Subcutaneous Canthariasis due to Tenebrio Molitor Larva (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) In Egretta Intermedia

“…In larvae, as in adults, there is a series of forms intermediate between the most specialized Blapimorpha and Tenebrio, so that it is not desirable to split Blapimorpha off as a separate subfamily. 5 The "Opatrinae" of Koch 14 and others were Blapimorpha with a deeply emarginate clypeus in the adult. Therefore, they may be a monophyletic group, but are not worthy of subfamily status.…”

“…The family Tenebrionidae is one of the largest in the animal kingdom, comprising approximately 15,000 described species. 5 They are especially abundant in many regions of the world. Mealworms are omnivorous and can eat all kinds of plant materials as well as animal products such as meat and feathers.…”

Identification of False Wireworms (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) From Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales

“…In general, descriptions of all stages are arranged after Watt (1974) to permit comparisons with his results.…”

“…Eggs of all species examined were collected from trays containing most soil and identified fieldcollected adults, similar to the large-scale culture method of Wightman and Farrell (1973). They were examined entire under a stereo microscope and the surface sculpture studied under a scanning electron microscope.…”