British Insects: the Families of Coleoptera
British Insects: the Families of Coleoptera | |
#1. <Family nomenclature:>/
#2. <Colloquial family names:>/
#3. <Head-to-tail body length>/
mm long/
Length measured in normal posture (e.g., without tilting up the head).
#4. Body length/maximum body width/
#5. Elytral length/pronotal length <ratio>/
‘Pronotum’: the single, dorsal sclerite of the ‘prothorax’; the latter being the major part of the beetle’s thorax which is visible from above.
#6. Base of prothorax <whether much narrower than elytral bases>/
1. not or scarcely narrower than the combined elytral bases/
2. distinctly narrower than the combined elytral bases/
‘Prothorax’: the first (anterior) segment of the (three-segmented) thorax. In beetles this is usually relatively large, forming with the head a conspicuous, independently movable ‘fore-body’. It is composed of a single dorso-lateral sclerite, ‘the pronotum’, a ventral ‘prosternum’, and lateral ‘proepisterna’, and bears the front pair of legs.
‘Mesothorax’ and (larger) ‘Metathorax’: the second and third thoracic segments. These are fused together, constituting the ‘pterothorax’, which bears the elytra, (hind-)wings and mid- and hind-legs.
‘Notopleural suture’: a groove in the side of the prothorax (q.v.), separating the prosternum (q.v.) from the pronotum (q.v.). .
#7. Greatest prothoracic width <whether much narrower than greatest elytral width>/
1. not narrower or only slightly narrower than the greatest elytral width/
2. distinctly narrower than greatest elytral width/
‘Prothorax’: the first (anterior) segment of the (three-segmented) thorax. In beetles this is usually relatively large, forming with the head a conspicuous, independently movable ‘fore-body’. It is composed of a single dorso-lateral sclerite, ‘the pronotum’, a ventral ‘prosternum’, and lateral ‘proepisterna’, and bears the front pair of legs.
‘Mesothorax’ and (larger) ‘Metathorax’: the second and third thoracic segments. These are fused together, constituting the ‘pterothorax’, which bears the elytra, (hind-)wings and mid- and hind-legs.
‘Notopleural suture’: a groove in the side of the prothorax (q.v.), separating the prosternum (q.v.) from the pronotum (q.v.).
#8. <Elongate> body <whether widest immediately behind the thorax, or distally>/
1. noticeably widest immediately behind the thorax/
2. noticeably widest at the rear/
3. not noticeably widest either behind the thorax, or at the rear/
#9. Beetles <body shape, viewed from above>/
1. <more or less> round/
2. oval/
3. elongate-oval/
4. elongate/
5. slender/
It is safest, and still potentially useful, to bracket the possibilities by entering two or more states of this rather subjective character.
#10. Beetles <whether terrapin-shaped, with clear and flattened margins>/
1. terrapin-like in shape, with flattened and clear margins to thorax and elytra <Peltidae>/
2. not terrapin-like in shape, and without flattened and clear margins to both thorax and elytra /
#11. Beetles <overall body shape: flattened, convex or cylindric>/
1. dorsally flattened/
2. dorsally more or less convex/
3. dorsally strongly convex/
4. <more or less> cylindric/
#12. Beetles <asymmetric humping>/
1. asymmetrically humped, and tapered to the rear <Rhipiphoridae>/
2. not asymmetrically humped and tapered /
#13. Beetles <whether necked>/
1. conspicuously necked <distinctly narrowed between head and thorax>/
2. not necked/
#14. Beetles <whether waisted>/
1. not waisted <parallel-sided, or rounded>/
2. somewhat waisted/
3. conspicuously waisted/
#15. Beetles <long- or short-legged>/
1. conspicuously long-legged/
2. neither particularly long- nor short-legged/
3. decidedly short-legged/
#16. Beetles <colour>/
#17. Beetles <brightly coloured or marked>/
1. exhibiting bright ‘warning colours’/
2. without ‘warning colouration’ /
#18. Upper surfaces of body <vestiture>/
1. glabrous or subglabrous/
2. non-glabrous <clothed with distinct hairs, setae or scales>/
#19. Upper surfaces of body <vestiture, whether including stiff, erect bristles>/
1. exhibiting stiff, erect, dark bristles/
2. not bristly <without stiff, erect, dark bristles>/
#20. Upper surfaces of body <vestiture, whether including scales or scale-like setae>/
1. exhibiting scales or scale-like setae/
2. with neither scales nor scale-like setae/
#21. Beetles <whether conglobulating>/
1. rolling into a ball <conglobulating> when alarmed/
2. not conglobulating /
#22. Beetles <whether ‘clicking’>/
1. when inverted, clicking and ‘jumping’ to right themselves/
2. not clicking and ‘jumping’ /
#23. Beetles <presence of rostrum: see Notes>/
1. equipped with a rostrum/
2. without a rostrum /
‘Rostrum’: a marked, rigid elongation of the front of the head (frons and vertex), on which the antennae are carried forward and which bears the (biting/chewing) mouthparts at its tip. This modification, characteristic of the curculionid families (weevils), is utilized by the females to bore holes in plant material (leaves, stems, fruits, bark, etc.) in which the eggs are deposited; but details of its significance for males and in relation to the adults’ feeding habits are elusive. The second character image provides a detailed comparison with a non-rostrate form.
#24. Beetles <whether prognathous>/
1. prognathous/
2. not prognathous/
‘Prognathous’ (in this context): having the mandibles projecting and clearly visible when the beetle is viewed from above.
#25. The head <of the beetle, whether visible from above>/
1. covered by the thorax <i.e., when the beetle is viewed from above>/
2. not covered by the thorax /
#26. Inclination of the head <from occipital foramen to mouth cavity, inclination from the londitudinal axis of the body in the living beetle>/
1. slight <at an angle of less than 45 degrees from the londitudinal axis of the beetle’s body>/
2. strong <at 45 to 90 degrees from the londitudinal axis of the beetle’s body>/
3. very strong <more than 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the beetle’s body>/
#27. Eyes <compound, presence>/
1. present /
2. absent/
#28. Eyes <compound, apparent number>/
1. two /
2. ostensibly four <the oft-encounterd partial division into an upper and lower eye being complete>/
#29. Eyes <whether strongly protuberant>/
1. strongly protuberant/
2. not strongly protuberant/
#30. Eyes <whether notched to accommodate antenna>/
1. accommodating the antennae in an anterior notch/
2. <occasionally notched, but> not accommodating the antennae in a notch /
#31. Eyes <pubescent or not>/
1. bristly <with interfacetal setae>/
2. without <interfacetal> bristles/
#32. Eyes <finely or coarsely facetted>/
1. finely facetted/
2. coarsely facetted/
#33. Ocelli <presence>/
1. present/
2. absent/
‘Ocelli’: simple eyes, additional to and located between or behind the compound eyes.
#34. Ocelli <when present, number>/
1. solitary/
2. paired/
‘Ocelli’: simple eyes, additional to and located between or behind the compound eyes.
#35. Antennae <length relative to length of insect>/
1. very short <less than a fifth of the insect’s head to tail length; antenna/insect length = 0.1–0.2>/
2. short <less than half of the insect’s head to tail length; antenna/insect length = 0.2–0.4>/
3. about half the insect's head to tail length <antenna/insect length = 0.4–0.6>/
4. long, but not exceeding the insect’s head to tail length <more than half the insect's length; antenna/insect length = 0.6–1.0>/
5. longer than the insect's head to tail length <antenna/insect length = 1.0+>/
Antennae of beetles nearly always have more than three segments (usually 7–11). The palps, with which they might otherwise be may be confused, usually have (1-)3 segments (labial palps) or (2-)4(-5) segments (maxillary palps).
#36. Antennae <whether strongly asymmetric>/
1. strongly asymmetric/
2. not strongly asymmetric /
#37. Antennae <whether elbowed>/
1. conspicuously elbowed <bent>/
2. not elbowed /
#38. Antennae <number of segments>/
segmented/
#39. Antennae <whether hairy>/
1. hairy/
2. not hairy/
#40. Antennae <of beetles, presence of scape>/
1. with the scape much-elongated <a single, elongated basal segment>/
2. without a much-elongated scape /
#41. Antennal scape <whether swollen>/
1. swollen/
2. not swollen /
#42. Antennae <shape>/
1. filiform <including moniliform>/
2. gradually expanding acropetally/
3. clubbed/
4. serrate/
5. pectinate/
#43. Antennal clubs <whether lamellate (laminate)>/
1. lamellate <laminate>/
2. not lamellate /
#44. Antennal clubs <number of segments>/
segmented/
#45. Antennal clubs <detailed construction>/
1. spherical, comprising two small basal segments and a large terminal one <Cerylonidae>/
2. not comprising two small basal segments and a large terminal one /
#46. Antennal clubs <whether preceded by acupular segment>/
1. preceded by a cupule/
2. without a cupule /
#47. Antennal segment 8 <within the club, whether smaller than 7 and 9>/
1. <markedly> smaller than segments 7 and 9 <Leiodidae>/
2. not <markedly> smaller than 7 and 9 /
#48. Antennal insertions <whether visible from above>/
1. visible from above/
2. hidden from above/
#49. Antennal insertions <whether covered by extensions from the frons>/
1. hidden by lateral extensions of the frons <Tenebrionidae>/
2. not hidden by lateral extensions of the frons/
‘Frons’ (of insects): the upper front part of the head.
Antennae of beetles nearly always have more than three segments (usually 7–11). The palps, with which they might be might otherwise be confused, usually have (1-)3 segments (labial palps) or (2-)4(-5) segments (maxillary palps).
#50. Antennal insertions <whether located in fossae>/
1. ‘countersunk’ within saucer-like fossae/
2. not in fossae <flush or raised>/
#51. Mandibular prosthecae <presence, degree of development>/
1. well developed/
2. present but reduced/
3. absent/
‘Mandibular prostheca’: a membranous (sometimes partly hardened), usually setose appendage borne on the basal part of the internal ridge of the mandible, distal to its grinding part (or ‘mola’).
#52. Prothorax <length relative to width>/
1. shorter than wide/
2. about as long as wide/
3. longer than wide/
‘Prothorax’: the first (anterior) segment of the (three-segmented) thorax. In beetles this is usually relatively large, forming with the head a conspicuous, independently movable ‘fore-body’. It is composed of a single dorso-lateral sclerite, ‘the pronotum’, a ventral ‘prosternum’, and lateral ‘proepisterna’, and bears the front pair of legs.
‘Mesothorax’ and (larger) ‘Metathorax’: the second and third thoracic segments. These are fused together, constituting the ‘pterothorax’, which bears the elytra, (hind-)wings and mid- and hind-legs.
‘Notopleural suture’: a groove in the side of the prothorax (q.v.), separating the prosternum (q.v.) from the pronotum (q.v.).
#53. Pronotal length/maximum pronotal width <ratio>/
#54. Prothorax <whether hooded, with large bumps>/
1. hooded and concealing the head, its front covered with large bumps <Bostrychidae>/
2. not hooded with anterior bumps /
#55. Prothorax <of elongate beetle> at its widest <width relative that of the to abdomen>/
1. markedly narrower than the adjoining part of the abdomen/
2. not markedly narrower than the adjoining part of the abdomen/
#56. Prothorax <whether with produced front corners>/
1. having the front corners produced, or with serrated sides <Silvanidae>/
2. with neither produced front corners nor serrated sides/
#57. Prothorax <presence of notopleural sutures>/
1. with notopleural sutures/
2. without notopleural sutures/
#58. Metaventrite <‘mesosternum’, whether exhibiting a transverse groove>/
1. with a transverse groove/
2. without a transverse groove/
‘Metaventrite' (often but unsatisfactorily called the ‘metasternum’: the main ventral sclerite of the metathorax.
‘Sclerites’: the conspicuously hardened (scerotised) regions of the segments. Those of adjoining segments may be fused (disguising the segmentation), or separated by zones of membranous cuticle (in flexible parts of the body).
#59. Mid-and hind-legs <whether much modified>/
1. oar-like and much shorter than the fore-legs, which are elongated and modified for grasping prey <Gyrinidae>/
2. not as in Gyrinidae /
#60. Fore coxal cavites <closed or open behind>/
1. closed behind/
2. open behind/
The beetle leg exhibits six primary segments, viz., coxa, trochanter, femur, tarsus, and the terminal ‘pretarsus’.
1. ‘Coxa’: the short first segment, which usually articulates proximally with the abdomen, and distally with the trochanter.
(‘Coxal cavity’: a cavity in the thorax into which the coxa fits.)
2. ‘Trochanter’: the short second segment, between coxa and femur, which in beetles freely articulates with the former but is firmly attached to the latter.
3. ‘Femur’: the third leg segment, articulating distally with the tibia. This is usually the stoutest and strongest segment, and is sometimes the longest. It sometimes bears long spines, but never exhibits movable spurs, and is enlarged in the hind legs of species that jump.
4. ‘Tibia’: the fourth leg segment, articulating distally with the tarsus. Tibiae are usually expanded towards their apices, which bear combs of spines, two of which are enlarged, articulated, and known as ‘spurs’. The fore tibiae are often expanded and toothed on the outer side, associated with digging.
5. ‘Tarsus’: the fifth primary segment of the beetle leg, which articulates proximally with the tibia, and distally with the pretarsus, and is usually itself resolvable into (2-)4–5 movable segments (‘tarsomeres’).
6. ‘Pretarsus’: the terminal leg component, which usually comprises paired ‘claws’ and the median ‘empodium’.
#61. Hind coxae <of beetles, whether moveable. Applicable, with caution, only to living specimens>/
1. moveable /
2. immoveable/
This character appears to be taxonomically meaningful, but apparently cannot be applied reliably for identifying dead specimens.
The beetle leg exhibits six primary segments, viz., coxa, trochanter, femur, tarsus, and the terminal ‘pretarsus’.
1. ‘Coxa’: the short first segment, which usually articulates proximally with the abdomen, and distally with the trochanter.
(‘Coxal cavity’: a cavity in the thorax into which the coxa fits.)
2. ‘Trochanter’: the short second segment, between coxa and femur, which in beetles freely articulates with the former but is firmly attached to the latter.
3. ‘Femur’: the third leg segment, articulating distally with the tibia. This is usually the stoutest and strongest segment, and is sometimes the longest. It sometimes bears long spines, but never exhibits movable spurs, and is enlarged in the hind legs of species that jump.
4. ‘Tibia’: the fourth leg segment, articulating distally with the tarsus. Tibiae are usually expanded towards their apices, which bear combs of spines, two of which are enlarged, articulated, and known as ‘spurs’. The fore tibiae are often expanded and toothed on the outer side, associated with digging.
5. ‘Tarsus’: the fifth primary segment of the beetle leg, which articulates proximally with the tibia, and distally with the pretarsus, and is usually itself resolvable into (2-)4–5 movable segments (‘tarsomeres’).
6. ‘Pretarsus’: the terminal leg component, which usually comprises paired ‘claws’ and the median ‘empodium’.
#62. Hind coxae <whether expanded and plate-like>/
1. expanded and plate-like <Haliplidae>/
2. not expanded and plate-like/
The beetle leg exhibits six primary segments, viz., coxa, trochanter, femur, tarsus, and the terminal ‘pretarsus’.
1. ‘Coxa’: the short first segment, which usually articulates proximally with the abdomen, and distally with the trochanter.
(‘Coxal cavity’: a cavity in the thorax into which the coxa fits.)
2. ‘Trochanter’: the short second segment, between coxa and femur, which in beetles freely articulates with the former but is firmly attached to the latter.
3. ‘Femur’: the third leg segment, articulating distally with the tibia. This is usually the stoutest and strongest segment, and is sometimes the longest. It sometimes bears long spines, but never exhibits movable spurs, and is enlarged in the hind legs of species that jump.
4. ‘Tibia’: the fourth leg segment, articulating distally with the tarsus. Tibiae are usually expanded towards their apices, which bear combs of spines, two of which are enlarged, articulated, and known as ‘spurs’. The fore tibiae are often expanded and toothed on the outer side, associated with digging.
5. ‘Tarsus’: the fifth primary segment of the beetle leg, which articulates proximally with the tibia, and distally with the pretarsus, and is usually itself resolvable into (2-)4–5 movable segments (‘tarsomeres’).
6. ‘Pretarsus’: the terminal leg component, which usually comprises paired ‘claws’ and the median ‘empodium’.
#63. The tarsi <presence of bilobed segments>/
1. exhibiting <one or more> bilobed segments/
2. without bilobed segments/
#64. The tarsi <presence and location of hidden segments>/
1. with a tiny penultimate segment hidden by lobing of the one proximal to it/
2. with a tiny basal segment that is hard to detect/
3. without ‘hidden’ segments/
#65. Mid-leg tarsi <total number of segments, including any ‘hidden’ segments>/
1. 3-segmented/
2. 4-segmented/
3. 5-segmented/
#66. Mid-leg tarsi <readily visible versus ‘hidden’ segments>/
1. pentamerous <with 5 segments, all easily seen>/
2. pseudotetramerous <with 4 obvious segments, plus a reduced penultimate one>/
3. tetramerous <with 4 segments, all easily seen>/
4. pseudotrimeous <with 3 obvious segments plus a reduced penultimate one>/
5. trimerous <with 3 segments, all easily seen>/
6. with fewer than three segments/
#67. Claws of the mid-leg tarsi <whether appendaged>/
1. with an appendage <on each>/
2. not appendaged/
#68. The appendages <of the claws of the mid-leg tarsi, type>/
1. not or only lightly sclerotized <usually pubescent>/
2. heavily sclerotized, blade-like/
3. heavily sclerotized, spine-like or bristle-like/
#69. Front tarsi <number of segments, relative to mid-tarsi>/
1. with <at least> as many segments as the mid-tarsi/
2. with one segment fewer than the mid-tarsi/
#70. Front tarsi <number of segments, including any ‘hidden’ segments>/
1. 3-segmented/
2. 4-segmented/
3. 5-segmented/
#71. Hind tarsi <number of segments, relative to mid-tarsi>/
1. with <at least> as many segments as the mid-tarsi/
2. with one segment fewer than the mid-tarsi/
#72. Hind tarsi <number of segments, including any ‘hidden’ segments>/
1. 3-segmented/
2. 4-segmented/
3. 5-segmented/
#73. Hind tarsi <of beetles, whether modified for swimming>/
1. modified for swimming <with oar-like arrangements of hairs>/
2. not modified for swimming /
#74. Tarsal claws <of middle legs, whether simple or ornamented>/
1. simple/
2. one-toothed or bifid/
3. serrate, denticulate or pectinate/
#75. Tarsal claws <of middle legs, whether associated with an empodium>/
1. with an empodium between them <with or without bristles>/
2. without an associated empodium/
#76. <Adult> elytra <presence>/
1. present /
2. absent/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#77. Elytral length/maximum width across the elytra <i.e., with the elytra closed>/
Measurements made in the resting position, with the elytra closed. The length of the elytra is measured from the base of the scutellum (or mid-posterior edge of the pronotum if the scutellum is concealed) to the conjoined elytral apices or to an imaginary line joining the separated elytral apices. The ‘elytral width’ is the greatest combined width or, when the elytra are widely separated their tips, the length of the longest line joining their two outside edges.
#78. Elytra <whether unusually elongate and tapered>/
1. individually distinctly tapered to their apices <markedly posteriorly separated when closed>/
2. not individually tapered /
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#79. Elytra <when closed, whether meeting on the mid-line>/
1. meeting along the length of the mid-line /
2. not meeting along the full length of the mid-line/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#80. Elytra <when closed, length relative to abdomen>/
1. covering most of the abdomen /
2. short, exposing several <(2-)3–6> terminal abdominal tergites/
3. greatly reduced <vestigial>/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
‘Abdominal tergite’: the sclerotised dorsal region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of a visible body segment. Of the abdomen, usually equivalent to ‘segment’.
‘Abdominal ventrite’: the sclerotised ventral region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of a visible abdominal segment. The number of ventrites is often fewer than the number of true segments.
‘Abdominal sternite’: the sclerotised ventral region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of an abdominal segment, whether visible or not. The number of sternites corresponds with the number of segments.
#81. Elytra <when closed> exposing <number of abdominal tergites>/
1. no more than part of the terminal tergite <pygidium>/
2. at least one but fewer than three complete abdominal tergites/
3. at least three complete abdominal tergites/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
‘Abdominal tergite’: the sclerotised dorsal region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of a visible body segment. Of the abdomen, usually equivalent to ‘segment’.
‘Pygidium’: the terminal (tail-end) exposed and sclerotised abdominal tergite. It may be either tergite 7 or 8.
#82. <Short> elytra <whether truncate>/
1. truncate/
2. not truncate/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#83. Elytra <hard or soft>/
1. hard/
2. soft/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#84. Elytra <glossy or dull>/
1. glossy/
2. dull/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#85. Elytra <iridescent or not>/
1. iridescent/
2. not iridescent /
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#86. Elytra <whether smooth>/
1. rough/
2. tuberculate/
3. spiny/
4. ribbed/
5. smooth/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#87. Elytra <presence of striae>/
1. striate/
2. without striae/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#88. Scutellary striole <of elytra, presence>/
1. present/
2. absent/
#89. Elytra <vestiture - glabrous or not>/
1. non-glabrous <i.e., with hairs, bristles or scales>/
2. glabrous/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#90. Elytra <presence of epipleura>/
1. with epipleura/
2. without epipleura/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
‘Epipleuron’: an infolding or incurving of the costa of the elytron (i.e., its leading edge, when the elytra are opened), which usually fits against the sides of the abdomen when the elytra are closed.
#91. Elytral epipleura <extent>/
1. reaching to the tips of the elytra/
2. falling short of the elytral tips/
‘Elytra’: paired organs representing the mesothoracic wings, which when closed usually (but not always) meet along the median line, and constitute a hardened cover for the beetle's hind-wings and abdomen. They are usually held open in flight, allowing free movement of the hind-wings.
#92. <Hind, metathoracic> wings <presence>/
1. well developed <presumed operational>/
2. absent or much reduced/
The metathoracic wings of beetles, when functional for flying, are usually longer than the elytra (q.v.), and are normally folded and stored beneath the elytra when the insect is not flying. Not uncommonly (especially island and montane forms), however, they are more or less atrophied.
#93. <Hind, metathoracic> wings <spiral rolling>/
1. with the distal part spirally rolled/
2. distally folded, not rolled /
#94. <Hind, metathoracic> wings <absence of venation>/
1. veined /
2. without veins/
#95. <Hind, metathoracic> wings <fringing>/
1. fringed with long hairs on the hind margin/
2. not fringed /
#96. Abdominal tergites <number>/
‘Abdominal tergite’: the sclerotised dorsal region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of a visible body segment. Usually, 8 tergites (representing 10 segments) can be counted on the upper surface of the abdomen: segment 9 is the much modified genital segment, which is hidden within the body, and segment 10 is greatly reduced. The visible tail-end tergite represents segment 8, and is called the ‘pygidium’.
‘Abdominal ventrite’: the sclerotised ventral region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of a visible abdominal segment. The number of ventrites is often fewer than the number of true segments.
‘Abdominal sternite’: the sclerotised ventral region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of an abdominal segment, whether visible or not. The number of sternites corresponds with the number of segments.
#97. Visible abdominal sternites <= ventrites: number>/
‘Abdominal tergite’: the sclerotised dorsal region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of a visible body segment. Usually, 8 tergites (representing 10 segments) can be counted on the upper surface of the abdomen: segment 9 is the much modified genital segment, which is hidden within the body, and segment 10 is greatly reduced. The visible tail-end tergite represents segment 8, and is called the ‘pygidium’.
‘Abdominal ventrite’: the sclerotised ventral region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of a visible abdominal segment. The number of ventrites is often fewer than the number of true segments.
‘Abdominal sternite’: the sclerotised ventral region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of an abdominal segment, whether visible or not. The number of sternites corresponds with the number of segments.
#98. Visible abdominal sternites immovably joined <= ‘connate ventrites’: number>/
‘Abdominal tergite’: the sclerotised dorsal region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of a visible body segment. Usually, 8 tergites (representing 10 segments) can be counted on the upper surface of the abdomen: segment 9 is the much modified genital segment, which is hidden within the body, and segment 10 is greatly reduced. The visible tail-end tergite represents segment 8, and is called the ‘pygidium’.
‘Abdominal ventrite’: the sclerotised ventral region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of a visible abdominal segment. The number of ventrites is often fewer than the number of true segments.
‘Abdominal sternite’: the sclerotised ventral region (‘sclerite’, q.v.) of an abdominal segment, whether visible or not. The number of sternites corresponds with the number of segments.
#99. Abdominal segment 8 <with or without functional spiracles>/
1. with apparently functional spiracles/
2. apparently without functional spiracles/
#100. <Whether adults aquatic: water-beetles or land dwellers>/
1. water-beetles/
2. land-dwellers /
‘Aquatic’: living and swimming in or on water.
#101. <Aquatic beetles, mode of locomotion in the water>/
1. ‘rowing’ by parallel-simultaneous leg movements/
2. moving in the water by <conventional> alternate, walking leg movements <not rowing>/
#102. <Whether adults predacious>/
1. predacious <specify prey>/
2. not predacious/
#103. <Non-predacious adults, diet>/
1. necrophagous/
2. feeding on dried animal remains/
3. phytophagous <live plant material: specify kinds>/
4. consuming decaying plant material <other than wood>/
5. eating dried plant material or stored plant products/
6. boring into living wood/
7. consuming rotting wood/
8. boring into dead wood/
9. mycetophagous <specify>/
10. coprophagous/
11. parasitic <specify>/
It is hard to obtain unambiguous records of what non-carnivorous adult beetles actually consume and digest. In particular, those involved with rotting wood are probably often ‘mycetophagous’.
#104. <Non-aquatic adults, habitat>/
1. in living vegetation/
2. in decaying plant material/
3. in rotting wood/
4. in dried plant material/
5. under bark/
6. on lichens/
7. associated with fungi/
8. associated with dung/
9. associated with carrion/
10. on shed fur or feathers <in nests or burrows>/
11. associated with flowers/
12. under stones/
13. in stored plant products/
#105. <General descriptive comments on adults:>/
#106. Larvae <whether aquatic>/
1. aquatic/
2. non-aquatic /
#107. Larvae <whether predacious>/
1. predacious/
2. not predacious/
#108. Larvae <non-predaceous, diet>/
1. necrophagous/
2. feeding on dried animal remains/
3. phytophagous <live plant material: specify kinds>/
4. consuming decaying plant material <other than wood>/
5. eating dried plant material or stored plant products/
6. boring into living wood/
7. consuming rotting wood/
8. boring into dead wood/
9. mycetophagous <specify>/
10. coprophagous/
11. parasitic <specify>/
#109. Larvae <non-aquatic habitat>/
1. on living vegetation/
2. in decaying plant material/
3. in rotting wood/
4. in dried plant material/
5. in or under bark/
6. on lichens/
7. in fungi/
8. in dung/
9. in carrion/
10. in shed fur or feathers <in nests or burrows>/
11. associated with flowers/
12. under stones/
13. in stored plant products/
#110. Suborder <cf. Unwin, 1984>/
1. Adephaga/
2. Myxophaga/
3. Polyphaga/
See Unwin (1984), Lawrence et al (1999).
#111. Superfamily <cf. Unwin, 1984>/
1. Bostrichoidea/
2. Buprestoidea/
3. Byrrhoidea/
4. Cantharoidea/
5. Caraboidea/
6. Chrysomeloidea/
7. Cleroidea/
8. Cucujoidea/
9. Curculionoidea/
10. Dascilloidea/
11. Dermestoidea/
12. Dryopoidea/
13. Elateroidea/
14. Eucinetoidea/
15. Lymexyloidea/
16. Sphaeroidea/
17. Histeroidea/
18. Hydrophiloidea/
19. Scarabaeoidea/
20. Staphilinoidea/
See Unwin (1984), Lawrence et al (1999).
#112. Genera <number in Britain>/
#113. <Genera in Britain:>/
From Pope (1977).
#114. <Number of species in Britain:>/
species/
#115. E.g., <scientific and common names of British representatives>/
To view the illustrations with legends (including names in current use), go to the interactive key. This also offers full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting or lacking specified attributes, distributions of character states within any set of taxa, source references, and other relevant material.
Cite this publication as: ‘Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 2003 onwards. British insects: the families of Coleoptera. Version: 21st June 2010. http://delta-intkey.com’.