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Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitats and feeding preferences. Cleridae have many
niche Niche may refer to: Science *Developmental niche, a concept for understanding the cultural context of child development *Ecological niche, a term describing the relational position of an organism's species *Niche differentiation, in ecology, the ...
s and feeding habits. Most genera are predaceous and feed on other beetles and larvae; however other genera are scavengers or
pollen Pollen is a powdery substance produced by seed plants. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen grains have a hard coat made of sporopollenin that protects the gametophyt ...
feeders. Clerids have elongated bodies with bristly hairs, are usually bright colored, and have variable antennae. Checkered beetles range in length between . Cleridae can be identified based on their 5–5–5
tarsal formula Tarsal formula is the number of segments of the tarsi, which has 3 numbers a-b-c, starting with the fore leg (a), then the middle leg (b), then the hind leg (c). For example, a tarsal formula of "5-5-4" as found in the Trictenotomidae means the ...
, division of
sternite The sternum (pl. "sterna") is the ventral portion of a segment of an arthropod thorax or abdomen. In insects, the sterna are usually single, large sclerites, and external. However, they can sometimes be divided in two or more, in which case the ...
s, and the absence of a special type of vesicle. Female Cleridae lay between 28–42 eggs at a time predominately under the
bark Bark may refer to: * Bark (botany), an outer layer of a woody plant such as a tree or stick * Bark (sound), a vocalization of some animals (which is commonly the dog) Places * Bark, Germany * Bark, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland Arts, ...
of trees. Larvae are predaceous and feed vigorously before pupation and subsequently emergence as adults. Clerids have a minor significance in forensic entomology. Some species are occasionally found on carrion in the later dry stages of decay. Also, some species are pests (
stored product entomology Home-stored product entomology is the study of insects which infest foodstuffs stored in the home. It deals with the prevention, detection and eradication of the Pest (organism), pests. The five major categories of insects considered in this artic ...
) and are found infesting various food products. Research efforts related to Cleridae have focused primarily on using certain species as biological controls. This is a very effective technique for controlling
bark beetle A bark beetle is the common name for the subfamily of beetles Scolytinae. Previously, this was considered a distinct family (Scolytidae), but is now understood to be a specialized clade of the "true weevil" family (Curculionidae). Although the ...
s due to the voracious appetite of many clerid species.


Description


Appearance

Generally, checkered beetles are elongated and oval in shape and range from in length. Their entire bodies are covered with bristly hairs and many display an ornate body color pattern. These often brightly color patterns can be red, yellow, orange, or blue. The antennae are clubbed at the tip for most species, but others can be "clubbed, saw-tooth, or thread-like." The pronotum region is nearly cylindrical and characteristically narrower than the elytra (special hardened front wings), while the head is as wide or wider than the pronotum. Their elytra have tiny pits or depressions, and never expose more than two tergites ( dorsal plates).


Identification

Clerid beetles fall under the suborder
Polyphaga Polyphaga is the largest and most diverse suborder of beetles. It comprises 144 families in 16 superfamilies, and displays an enormous variety of specialization and adaptation, with over 350,000 described species, or approximately 90% of the b ...
. Key characteristics of Polyphaga are that the hind coxa (base of the leg), do not divide the first and second abdominal/ventral plates which are known as sternites. Also, the
notopleural The notopleuron (plural notopleura) is a region on an insect thorax. Notopleura are useful in characterizing species, particularly, though not uniquely, in the Order Diptera (the "true flies"). The notopleuron is a thoracic pleurite (a sclerite ...
suture (found under the pronotal shield) is not present. To further identify Clerid beetles, a few additional characteristics need to be examined. Clerid beetles have unique legs that help to distinguish them from other families. Their tarsal formula is 5–5–5, meaning that on each of the front, middle and hind legs there are 5 tarsomeres (individual subsegments of the feet/tarsi). One or more of these subsegments on each leg is typically lobed, and the 4th tarsi is normally difficult to distinguish. Furthermore, an important feature that eliminates many other families of beetles is that clerids' front coxae (base of the leg) expose the second segment of the legs known as the trochanter. The second defining characteristic of the family Cleridae is that clerids never have eversible vesicles (small usually hidden balloon-like structures thought to be scent glands) on their abdomen and pronotum. This characteristic distinguishes them from a similar family Melyridae which sometimes has these glands. This trait is very important in correctly differentiating checkered beetles from Melyridae.


Distribution and ecology

Cleridae can be found in the Americas, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and even in Australia. There are approximately 3,500 species in the world and about 500 species in North America. Due to this wide distribution there are many different
habitats In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...
in which the checkered beetles can be found. Many of the species are known as "flower visitors", that prey on other flower visiting insects and also feed on
pollen Pollen is a powdery substance produced by seed plants. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen grains have a hard coat made of sporopollenin that protects the gametophyt ...
. These species are found in moist, sunny environments where flowering plants are found in abundance. Another habitat commonly inhabited by clerid beetles is trees. These "tree living species" are found in forests across the world with various climates and an array of easily preyed upon insects. They seek protection under the bark and hunt for other insects above and below the
bark Bark may refer to: * Bark (botany), an outer layer of a woody plant such as a tree or stick * Bark (sound), a vocalization of some animals (which is commonly the dog) Places * Bark, Germany * Bark, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland Arts, ...
. The primary source of prey for these bark living hunters is bark beetles. The third type of clerid beetles is the "nest robbing species" which live in shrubbery and in trees. Unlike the tree living species these species do not actually
burrow An Eastern chipmunk at the entrance of its burrow A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to construct a space suitable for habitation or temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of sh ...
into the bark. Nest robbing species typically hunt termite, bee, and wasp larvae, and one particular species has been noted to prey primarily on grasshopper egg masses. Not all nest robbing species actively hunt live prey, some species for example prefer to feed only on dead honey bee larvae and adults.


Feeding habits

The Cleridae contains many species of predaceous beetles that feed on other beetles and beetle larvae in their natural habitat. The most common prey item for checkered beetles are the bark beetles and wood boring beetles. In general, the bulk of adult Cleridae feed mainly on other adult beetles while the larvae stage feed on other beetle larvae. Some checkered beetles are known to have an extremely voracious appetite with some larvae able to consume "several times their own body weight" in a day. Although most species of checkered beetles are predaceous in nature, some are scavengers and others have been found feeding on flower pollen.McNamara, J. (1991
"Family Cleridae: checkered beetles"
(PDF). ''In'': Bousquet, Y. (Ed.). ''Checklist of the Beetles of Canada and Alaska''. Agriculture Canada Publication 1861/E. 208–211.
Because of the checkered beetles predaceous nature and insatiable appetite, they are often key players in the biological control of other insects. The checkered beetles have also developed a unique adaptation to aid in their quest for prey. The beetles use pheromones to help them locate, kill, and consume their prey. The diversity of checkered beetle's feeding habits is quite evident when different species are examined. The ''
Necrobia ''Necrobia'' is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Cleridae. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution. Species: * '' Necrobia divinatoria'' Wickham, 1914 * ''Necrobia ruficollis ''Necrobia ruficollis'', the ham beetle, red-shouldered ...
'' spp. are attracted to dry carrion and other decomposing animal matter such as bones and skin as well as various meat products. ''
Thanasimus ''Thanasimus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are about six described species in ''Thanasimus''. Species These six species belong to the genus ''Thanasimus'': * '' Thanasimus dubius'' (Fabricius, 1776) (dubious che ...
'' spp. are found in woodland areas where bark beetle species constitute their main source of prey. The primary source of prey for the ''
Phyllobaenus ''Phyllobaenus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a vari ...
'' spp. are wood borers, immature weevils, and
hymenoptera Hymenoptera is a large order (biology), order of insects, comprising the sawfly, sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. Over 150,000 living species of Hymenoptera have been described, in addition to over 2,000 extinct ones. Many of the species are Par ...
larvae. One of the more diverse
genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...
is ''
Trichodes ''Trichodes'' is a genus of checkered beetle belonging to the family Cleridae, subfamily Clerinae. Species These 64 species belong to the genus ''Trichodes'': * '' Trichodes affinis'' Chevrolat, 1843 * '' Trichodes albanicus'' Winkler & Zirovnic ...
'', the larvae feed on the pollen of flowering plants and adults prey upon grasshoppers and wasps.


Life cycle

The general life cycle of clerids has been known to last anywhere from 35 days to more than 3 years, and is strongly dependent on the life cycle of their prey. While the life cycle can vary in length between genus and species, temperature is also a major determinant in the length of time spent in each stage of development. The warmer the temperature is, the quicker the lifecycle, and the cooler the temperature is the slower the lifecycle. If temperatures dip below a threshold temperature for an extended period of time clerids and most other insects will have growth and developmental progress arrested. Like all beetles, Cleridae follow a holometabolous life cycle: the egg hatches into a larva, which grows and feeds, changing its skin to form a pupa, and the pupa shedding its skin to emerge as an adult. The larvae of the majority of the known species of Cleridae feed upon the eggs and young of
wood-boring beetle The term woodboring beetle encompasses many species and families of beetles whose larval or adult forms eat and destroy wood (i.e., are xylophagous). In the woodworking industry, larval stages of some are sometimes referred to as woodworms. The t ...
s, while the adults feed on the adult bark beetles. Copulation takes place while the female feeds, because females need a large amount of food for egg development. The female lays her eggs 36–72 hours after copulation. The eggs are laid in between pieces of bark on wood-borer-infested trees or under stones in the soil. She may lay 28–42 eggs at a time. For the longer lifespaned species such as ''
Thanasimus ''Thanasimus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are about six described species in ''Thanasimus''. Species These six species belong to the genus ''Thanasimus'': * '' Thanasimus dubius'' (Fabricius, 1776) (dubious che ...
'' this occurs in late summer or early fall to give the larvae enough time for proper growth before having to overwinter. When larvae hatch from their eggs, they are either red or yellow. Their bodies have a slender and flat appearance with short legs due to their minimal movement. The larvae are covered in hair and have two horn-type projections on the dorsal area of the last body segment. Immediately after birth, they start searching for food close to where they hatched. They feed on wood-borer insects on trees, or feed on their species' substrate or prey of choice. Feeding is the main purpose of the larval stage to prepare for pupation. Once their larval stage is complete the tree dwelling species make their way to the bottom of the tree to pupate. The pupal stage can last from 6 weeks to one year depending on the need to overwinter, and how short the overall lifecycle is for a particular species. A majority of clerid species pupate in earthen cells which are made from soil and certain enzymes secreted from their mouths. The rest remain in pupal cells. Adult beetles emerge from pupation and spend a variable time of their life maturing, and eventually oviposit. Sexually mature adults or imagos of ''Thanasiumus'' overwinter inside the wood-borer-infested trees and oviposit during the
spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a ...
.


Forensic relevance


Stored product entomology

''
Necrobia rufipes ''Necrobia rufipes'', the red-legged ham beetle, is a species of predatory beetle, in the family Cleridae, with a cosmopolitan distribution, first described by Charles De Geer in 1775. The adult beetles are long, convex, straight sided, and th ...
'', commonly known as the red-legged ham beetle, is of particular importance in
stored product entomology Home-stored product entomology is the study of insects which infest foodstuffs stored in the home. It deals with the prevention, detection and eradication of the Pest (organism), pests. The five major categories of insects considered in this artic ...
. ''N. rufipes'' infests
dried Drying is a mass transfer process consisting of the removal of water or another solvent by evaporation from a solid, semi-solid or liquid. This process is often used as a final production step before selling or packaging products. To be consider ...
or
smoked meats Smoked meat is the result of a method of preparing red meat, white meat, and seafood which originated in the Paleolithic Era. Smoking adds flavor, improves the appearance of meat through the Maillard reaction, and when combined with curing it ...
, especially those products that are stored unwrapped for long periods of time. Adults feed on the surface of the products, while the larvae damage the meat by boring down usually in the fatty parts. ''N. rufipes'' has been recorded to have fed upon a large variety of items ranging from hides and dried figs to Egyptian mummies. In addition, products such as wool and silk can become infested, but not destroyed.


Medico-legal entomology

Since clerids are predaceous in nature, they have been found feeding on fly larvae as well as the skin and bones of
carrion Carrion () is the decaying flesh of dead animals, including human flesh. Overview Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters (or scavengers) include crows, vultures, c ...
. Most clerids are not useful in
forensics Forensic science, also known as criminalistics, is the application of science to criminal and civil laws, mainly—on the criminal side—during criminal investigation, as governed by the legal standards of admissible evidence and crimina ...
because of their food choice, but some species such as ''Necrobia rufipes'' can be useful. ''Necrobia rufipes'' is attracted towards carrion in the later stages of decomposition, so its arrival on carrion can help provide an estimate for the post-mortem interval or PMI. Although the checkered beetle is not the most significant insect on carrion, the beetles predaceous nature and its ability to reproduce in carrion that is exposed to the environment provides some forensic importance.


Ongoing research

There is ongoing research with some clerid species. Forensic research is limited because of their late arrival on carrion, but members such as '' Thanasimus undatulus'' have been researched as a possible role in integrated pest management or IPM. ''Thanasimus undatulus'' is a predator of bark beetles. Some species of bark beetles such as the
southern pine beetle ''Dendroctonus frontalis'', the Southern Pine Beetle (also known as SPB), is a species of bark beetle native to the forests of southern United States, Mexico and Central America. The Southern Pine Beetle reddish brown to black exoskeleton and me ...
and the mountain pine beetle can become pests to the lumber industry because in large numbers they can cause damage and kill live trees. ''Thanasimus undatulus'' has been researched as a possible biological control agent for these pests. Researchers and forestry officials have used bark beetle aggregation pheromones to attract the checkered beetle to specific trees. This causes the bark beetles to be overwhelmed, extensively preyed upon by the clerid beetles, and typically eliminated. There is also additional research being done pertaining to the impact of clerids on pollination in flowers.


Systematics

The
genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...
of Cleridae are divided among several
subfamilies In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...
, though some genera still defy easy classification. Several
taxonomic Taxonomy is the practice and science of categorization or classification. A taxonomy (or taxonomical classification) is a scheme of classification, especially a hierarchical classification, in which things are organized into groups or types. ...
schemes exist, recognizing for example a group around ''
Neorthopleura ''Neorthopleura'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a var ...
'' as distinct subfamily Neorthopleurinae, or splitting off the Thaneroclerinae as distinct family, or circumscribing the Korynetinae ''
sensu stricto ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular co ...
'' or '' sensu lato''. The following list of tribes and selected genera is thus preliminary. Some notable species are also listed. The oldest members of the family are '' Protoclerus'' and '' Wangweiella'' the late
Middle Jurassic The Middle Jurassic is the second epoch of the Jurassic Period. It lasted from about 174.1 to 163.5 million years ago. Fossils of land-dwelling animals, such as dinosaurs, from the Middle Jurassic are relatively rare, but geological formations co ...
( Callovian)
Daohugou bed The Haifanggou Formation (), also known as the Jiulongshan Formation (), is a fossil-bearing rock deposit located near Daohugou () village of Ningcheng County, in Inner Mongolia, northeastern China. The formation consists of coarse conglomerates ...
in Inner Mongolia, China.
Clerinae Clerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitat ...
* ''
Allonyx ''Allonyx'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae Clerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family ...
'' Jacquelin du Val, 1860 * '' Anthicoclerus'' Schenkling, 1906 * ''
Aphelochroa ''Aphelochroa'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae Clerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The fa ...
'' Quedenfeldt, 1885 * '' Apopempsis'' Schenkling, 1903 * '' Apteroclerus'' Wollaston, 1867 * '' Aptinoclerus'' Kuwert, 1893 * '' Aradamicula'' Sedlacek & Winkler, 1975 * †'' Arawakis'' ( fossil) * '' Astigmus'' Kuwert, 1894 * ''
Aulicus ''Aulicus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety o ...
'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Axina'' Kirby, 1818 * '' Balcus'' * '' Barriella'' Opitz, 2003 * '' Barrotillus'' Rifkind, 1996 * '' Blaxima'' Gorham, 1882 * '' Bousquetoclerus'' Menier, 1997 * '' Burgeoneus'' Pic, 1950 * '' Caestron'' Dupont in Spinola, 1844 * '' Calendyma'' Lacordaire, 1857 * '' Canariclerus'' Winkler, 1982 * '' Cardiostichus'' Quedenfeldt, 1885 * '' Caridopus'' Schenkling in Sjöstedt, 1908 * '' Cleromorpha'' Gorham, 1876 * '' Cleropiestus'' Fairmaire, 1889 * ''
Clerus ''Clerus'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae Clerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family ...
'' Fabricius, 1775 * '' Clytomadius'' Corporaal, 1949 * '' Colyphus'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Coptoclerus'' Chapin, 1924 * '' Cormodes'' Pascoe, 1860 * '' Corynommadius'' Schenkling, 1899 * '' Ctenaxina'' Schenkling, 1906 * '' Ctenoclerus'' Solervicens, 1997 * '' Dasyceroclerus'' Kuwert, 1894 * '' Dasyteneclines'' Pic, 1941 * '' Dieropsis'' Gahan, 1908 * '' Dologenitus'' Opitz, 2009 * '' Dozocolletus'' Chevrolat, 1842 * '' Eburiphora'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Eburneoclerus'' Pic, 1950 * '' Ekisius'' Winkler, 1987 * '' Eleale'' Newman, 1840 * ''
Enoclerus ''Enoclerus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the subfamily Clerinae. Species These species belong to the genus ''Enoclerus'': * '' Enoclerus abdominalis'' (Chevrolat, 1835) * '' Enoclerus ablusus'' Barr, 1978 * '' Enoclerus acerbus'' Wol ...
'' Gahan, 1910 * ''
Epiclines ''Epiclines'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae Clerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The fami ...
'' Chevrolat in Guérin-Ménéville, 1839 * '' Eunatalis'' Schenkling, 1909 ** '' Eunatalis porcata'' * '' Erymanthus'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Eurymetomorphon'' Pic, 1950 * '' Falsomadius'' Gerstmeier, 2002 * '' Falsoorthrius'' Pic, 1940 * '' Graptoclerus'' Gorham, 1901 * ''
Gyponyx Gyponyx is a large genus of nocturnal, Afrotropical checkered beetle Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety ...
'' Gorham, 1883 * '' Hemitrachys'' Gorham, 1876 * '' Homalopilo'' Schenkling, 1915 * '' Inhumeroclerus'' Pic, 1955 * '' Jenjouristia'' Fursov, 1936 * '' Languropilus'' Pic, 1940 * '' Lissaulicus'' C.O.Waterhouse, 1879 * '' Memorthrius'' Pic, 1940 * '' Metademius'' Schenkling, 1899 * '' Microclerus'' Wollaston, 1867 * '' Micropteroclerus'' Chapin, 1920 * '' Microstigmatium'' Kraatz, 1899 * '' Mimolesterus'' Gerstmeier, 1991 * '' Mitrandiria'' Kolibac, 1997 * '' Myrmecomaea'' Fairmaire, 1886 * '' Natalis'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1836 * '' Neogyponyx'' Schenkling, 1906 * '' Neoscrobiger'' Blackburn, 1900 * '' Ohanlonella'' Rifkind, 2008 * '' Olesterus'' Spinola, 1841 * ''
Omadius ''Omadius'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae Clerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family ...
'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1836 * '' Oodontophlogistus'' Elston, 1923 * '' Operculiphorus'' Kuwert, 1894 * ''
Opilo ''Opilo'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae Clerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cl ...
'' Latreille, 1802 * ''
Orthrius ''Orthrius'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae Clerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family ...
'' Gorham, 1876 * '' Oxystigmatium'' Kraatz, 1899 * '' Phlogistomorpha'' Hintz, 1908 * '' Phlogistus'' Gorham, 1876 * '' Phloiocopus'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Phonius'' Chevrolat, 1843 * '' Pieleus'' Pic, 1940 * '' Placocerus'' Klug, 1837 * '' Placopterus'' Wolcott, 1910 * '' Plathanocera'' Schenkling, 1902 * '' Platyclerus'' Spinola, 1841 * ''
Priocera ''Priocera'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are about seven described species in ''Priocera''. Species These seven species belong to the genus ''Priocera'': * ''Priocera apicalis'' Thomson, 1860 * ''Priocera auros ...
'' Kirby, 1818 * '' Priocleromorphus'' Pic, 1950 * '' Prioclerus'' Hintz, 1902 * '' Pseudolesterus'' Miyatake, 1968 * '' Pseudomadius'' Chapin, 1924 * '' Pujoliclerus'' Pic, 1947 * '' Sallea'' Chevrolat, 1874 * '' Scrobiger'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Sedlacekius'' Winkler, 1972 * '' Sikorius'' Kuwert, 1893 * ''
Stigmatium ''Stigmatium'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae. References * Cleridae genera Clerinae {{Cleroidea-stub ...
'' Gray in Griffith, 1832 * '' Systenoderes'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Tanocleria'' Hong, 2002 * '' Thalerocnemis'' Lohde, 1900 * '' Thanasimodes'' Murray, 1867 * ''
Thanasimus ''Thanasimus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are about six described species in ''Thanasimus''. Species These six species belong to the genus ''Thanasimus'': * '' Thanasimus dubius'' (Fabricius, 1776) (dubious che ...
'' Latreille, 1806 ** ''
Thanasimus formicarius The ant beetle (''Thanasimus formicarius''), also known as the European red-bellied clerid, is a medium size insect, rather soft-bodied, with strong mandibles that can tear between the hard sclerotized integument of bark beetles. Larvae and adu ...
'' – Ant Beetle * '' Tillicera'' Spinola, 1841 * ''
Trichodes ''Trichodes'' is a genus of checkered beetle belonging to the family Cleridae, subfamily Clerinae. Species These 64 species belong to the genus ''Trichodes'': * '' Trichodes affinis'' Chevrolat, 1843 * '' Trichodes albanicus'' Winkler & Zirovnic ...
'' Herbst, 1792 ** ''
Trichodes alvearius ''Trichodes alvearius'' is a species of soldier or checkered beetle belonging to the family Cleridae, subfamily Clerinae. Description ''Trichodes alvearius'' is a very hairy beetle with black head and scutellum. The elongated elytra show a b ...
'' ** ''
Trichodes apiarius ''Trichodes apiarius'' is a beetle species of checkered beetles belonging to the family Cleridae, subfamily Clerinae. These beetles are found in most of Europe, in the eastern Palearctic realm, and in North Africa. It is a hairy, small beetle w ...
'' ** ''
Trichodes leucopsideus ''Trichodes leucopsideus'' is a beetle species of checkered beetle belonging to the family Cleridae, subfamily Clerinae. Description It is a hairy small-medium size beetle with shining blue or black head and scutellum. The elongated elytra show ...
'' * '' Trogodendron'' Spinola, 1841 ** ''
Trogodendron fasciculatum ''Trogodendron fasciculatum'' or the yellowhorned clerid is a small beetle of the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwi ...
'' – Yellow-horned Clerid * '' Wilsonoclerus'' * '' Winklerius'' Menier, 1986 * '' Wittmeridecus'' Winkler, 1981 * ''
Xenorthrius ''Xenorthrius'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae Clerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The fa ...
'' Gorham, 1892 * '' Zahradnikius'' Winkler, 1992 * ''
Zenithicola ''Zenithicola'' is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Clerinae. References

* * Cleridae genera Clerinae {{Cleroidea-stub ...
'' Spinola, 1841 Enopliinae (sometimes in Korynetinae) * '' Antygodera'' * '' Apolopha'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Corinthiscus'' Fairmaire & Germain, 1861 * ''
Cregya ''Cregya'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are over 100 described species in ''Cregya''.Opitz, Weston. 2019. Classification, natural history, and evolution of the subfamily Peloniinae Opitz (Coleoptera: Cleroidea: Cle ...
'' LeConte, 1861 * '' Curacavi'' * '' Enoplium'' Latreille, 1802 * '' Exochonotus'' * '' Hublella'' * '' Lasiodera'' Gray in Griffith, 1832 * '' Neopylus'' Solervicens, 1989 * '' Paracregya'' * '' Pelonium'' * '' Phymatophaea'' Pascoe, 1876 * '' Platynoptera'' Chevrolat, 1834 * '' Pseudichnea'' Schenkling, 1900 * '' Pylus'' Newman, 1840 * '' Pyticara'' Spinola, 1841 (including ''Pelonides'') * '' Teneroides'' Gahan, 1910 * '' Tenerus'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1836 * '' Thriocerodes'' Wolcott & Dybas, 1947 Epiphloeinae (sometimes in Korynetinae) * '' Acanthocollum'' * '' Amboakis'' * '' Decaphloeus'' * '' Decorosa'' Opitz, 2008 * '' Diapromeces'' Opitz, 1997 * '' Ellipotoma'' Spinola, 1844 * '' Epiphloeus'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Hapsidopteris'' Opitz, 1997 * ''
Ichnea ''Ichnea'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of ...
'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1836 * '' Iontoclerus'' Opitz, 1997 * '' Katamyurus'' Opitz, 1997 * ''
Madoniella ''Madoniella'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variet ...
'' Pic, 1935 * '' Megaphloeus'' * '' Megatrachys'' Opitz, 1997 * '' Opitzius'' Barr, 2006 * '' Parvochaetus'' Opitz, 2006 * ''
Pennasolis ''Pennasolis'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are at least three described species in ''Pennasolis''. Species These three species belong to the genus ''Pennasolis'': * '' Pennasolis californica'' (Van Dyke, 1923) ...
'' Opitz, 2008 * '' Pericales'' * '' Pilosirus'' Opitz, 1997 * '' Plocamocera'' Spinola, 1844 * '' Pteroferus'' * ''
Pyticeroides ''Pyticeroides'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a vari ...
'' Kuwert, 1894 * '' Silveirasia'' * '' Stegnoclava'' * '' Turbophloeus''
Hydnocerinae Hydnocerinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae. There are at least 70 described species in Hydnocerinae. Genera * ''Isohydnocera'' Chapin, 1917 * ''Phyllobaenus ''Phyllobaenus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family C ...
(including Phyllobaeninae) * '' Abrosius'' Fairmaire, 1902 * '' Achlamys'' C.O.Waterhouse, 1879 * '' Allelidea'' G.R.Waterhouse, 1839 * '' Blaesiophthalmus'' Schenkling, 1903 * '' Brachycallimerus'' Chapin, 1924 * '' Brachyptevenus'' * ''
Callimerus ''Callimerus'' is a genus of beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habi ...
'' Gorham, 1876 * '' Cephaloclerus'' Kuwert, 1893 * '' Cucujocallimerus'' Pic, 1929 * '' Emmepus'' Motschulsky, 1845 * '' Eurymetopum'' Blanchard, 1842 * ''
Isohydnocera ''Isohydnocera'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a vari ...
'' Chapin, 1917 * '' Isolemidia'' Gorham, 1877 * '' Laiomorphus'' Pic, 1927 * '' Lasiocallimerus'' Corporaal, 1939 * '' Lemidia'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Neohydnus'' Gorham, 1892 * '' Parmius'' Sharp, 1877 * '' Paupris'' Sharp, 1877 * ''
Phyllobaenus ''Phyllobaenus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a vari ...
'' Dejean, 1837 * '' Silviella'' Solervicens, 1987 * '' Solemidia'' * '' Stenocallimerus'' Corporaal & Pic, 1940 * ''
Theano In Greek mythology, Theano (; Ancient Greek: Θεανώ) may refer to the following personages: *Theano, wife of Metapontus, king of Icaria. Metapontus demanded that she bear him children, or leave the kingdom. She presented the children of Melan ...
'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1836 * ''
Wolcottia ''Wolcottia'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety ...
'' Chapin, 1917 Korynetinae * '' Chariessa'' Perty in Spix & Martius, 1830 * ''
Korynetes ''Korynetes'' is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Cleridae. Species: * ''Korynetes caeruleus ''Korynetes caeruleus'' also known as the steely blue beetle is a predatory beetle in the family Cleridae. The species name is occasionall ...
'' Herbst, 1792 ** ''
Korynetes caeruleus ''Korynetes caeruleus'' also known as the steely blue beetle is a predatory beetle in the family Cleridae. The species name is occasionally misspelled as "''coeruleus''" (e.g.,), but the spelling ''caeruleus'' is preserved by Opinion 604 of the ...
'' – steely blue beetle * ''
Lebasiella ''Lebasiella'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variet ...
'' Spinola, 1844 * ''
Loedelia ''Loedelia'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety ...
'' R.Lucas, 1918 * ''
Necrobia ''Necrobia'' is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Cleridae. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution. Species: * '' Necrobia divinatoria'' Wickham, 1914 * ''Necrobia ruficollis ''Necrobia ruficollis'', the ham beetle, red-shouldered ...
'' Latreille, 1797 ** ''
Necrobia ruficollis ''Necrobia ruficollis'', the ham beetle, red-shouldered ham beetle, or red-necked bacon beetle, is a mostly carnivorous beetle in the family Cleridae with a cosmopolitan distribution. Description ''Necrobia ruficollis'' is long, and is mostly ...
'' – red-shouldered ham beetle ** ''
Necrobia rufipes ''Necrobia rufipes'', the red-legged ham beetle, is a species of predatory beetle, in the family Cleridae, with a cosmopolitan distribution, first described by Charles De Geer in 1775. The adult beetles are long, convex, straight sided, and th ...
'' –
red-legged ham beetle ''Necrobia rufipes'', the red-legged ham beetle, is a species of predatory beetle, in the family Cleridae, with a cosmopolitan distribution, first described by Charles De Geer in 1775. The adult beetles are long, convex, straight sided, and t ...
* ''
Neorthopleura ''Neorthopleura'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a var ...
'' Barr, 1976 * '' Opetiopalpus'' Spinola, 1844 * '' Romanaeclerus'' Winkler, 1960 Tarsosteninae (sometimes in Korynetinae) * ''
Paratillus ''Paratillus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variet ...
'' Gorham, 1876 * '' Tarsostenodes'' Blackburn, 1900 * ''
Tarsostenus ''Tarsostenus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. It includes the cosmopolitan species ''T. univittatus''. Description ''Tarsostenus'' are oblong beetles 3.5–8.0 mm long and 1.0–2.0 mm wide. They can be recognised b ...
'' Spinola, 1844
Thaneroclerinae Thanerocleridae is a family of beetles belonging to the superfamily Cleroidea. It was formerly considered a subfamily of Cleridae, but was recently elevated to the rank of family. The family has 36 living species in 10 genera, which are found glo ...
(tentatively placed here) * '' Cleridopsis'' Champion, 1913 * '' Compactoclerus'' Pic, 1939 * '' Cyrtinoclerus'' Chapin, 1924 * '' Isoclerus'' Lewis, 1892 * '' Meprinogenus'' Kolibáč, 1992 * '' Neoclerus'' Lewis, 1892 * '' Onerunka'' Kolibáč * ''
Thaneroclerus ''Thaneroclerus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Thanerocleridae Thanerocleridae is a family of beetles belonging to the superfamily Cleroidea. It was formerly considered a subfamily of Cleridae, but was recently elevated to th ...
'' Lefebvre, 1838 * '' Viticlerus'' * ''
Zenodosus ''Zenodosus'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Thanerocleridae Thanerocleridae is a family of beetles belonging to the superfamily Cleroidea. It was formerly considered a subfamily of Cleridae, but was recently elevated to the ra ...
'' Wolcott, 1910
Tillinae Tillinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae, the checkered beetles. Genera * '' Antenius'' Fairmaire, 1903 * '' Arachnoclerus'' Fairmaire, 1902 * '' Araeodontia'' Barr, 1952 * '' Archalius'' Fairmaire, 1903 * '' Aroterus'' Sch ...
* '' Antenius'' Fairmaire, 1903 * '' Arachnoclerus'' Fairmaire, 1902 * ''
Araeodontia ''Araeodontia'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a varie ...
'' Barr, 1952 * '' Archalius'' Fairmaire, 1903 * '' Aroterus'' Schenkling, 1906 * '' Basilewskyus'' Pic, 1950 * '' Biflabellotillus'' Pic, 1949 * '' Bilbotillus'' Kolibac, 1997 * '' Bogcia'' Barr, 1978 * '' Bostrichoclerus'' Van Dyke, 1938 * ''
Callotillus ''Neocallotillus'' is a beetle genus in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habi ...
'' Wolcott, 1911 * '' Ceratocopus'' Hintz, 1902 * '' Chilioclerus'' Solervicens, 1976 * '' Cladiscopallenis'' Pic, 1949 * '' Cladiscus'' Chevrolat, 1843 * '' Cladomorpha'' Pic, 1949 * '' Cteniopachys'' Fairmaire, 1889 * '' Cylidroctenus'' Kraatz, 1899 * '' Cylidrus'' Latreille, 1825 * ''
Cymatodera ''Cymatodera'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variet ...
'' Gray in Griffith, 1832 * ''
Cymatoderella ''Cymatoderella'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a var ...
'' Barr, 1962 * '' Dedana'' Fairmaire, 1888 * '' Denops'' Fischer von Waldheim, 1829 * ''
Diplocladus ''Diplocladus'' is a gens of beetles in the subfamily Tillinae Tillinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Cleridae, the checkered beetles. Genera * '' Antenius'' Fairmaire, 1903 * '' Arachnoclerus'' Fairmaire, 1902 * '' Araeodontia ...
'' Fairmaire, 1885 * '' Diplopherusa'' Heller, 1921 * '' Eburneocladiscus'' Pic, 1955 * '' Egenocladiscus'' Corporaal & van der Wiel, 1949 * '' Elasmocylidrus'' Corporaal, 1939 * '' Enoploclerus'' Hintz, 1902 * '' Eucymatodera'' Schenkling, 1899 * '' Falsopallenis'' Pic, 1926 * '' Falsotillus'' Gerstmeier & Kuff, 1992 * '' Flabellotilloidea'' Gerstmeier & Kuff, 1992 * '' Gastrocentrum'' Gorham, 1876 * '' Gracilotillus'' Pic, 1933 * '' Impressopallenis'' Pic, 1953 * '' Isocymatodera'' Hintz, 1902 * '' Lecontella'' Wolcott & Chapin, 1918 * '' Leptoclerus'' Kraatz, 1899 * '' Liostylus'' Fairmaire, 1886 * '' Macroliostylus'' Pic, 1939 * '' Magnotillus'' Pic, 1936 * '' Melanoclerus'' Chapin, 1919 * '' Microtillus'' Pic, 1950 * ''
Monophylla ''Monophylla'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variet ...
'' Spinola, 1841 * '' Neocallotillus'' Burke, 2016 * '' Nodepus'' Gorham, 1892 * '' Notocymatodera'' Schenkling, 1907 * '' Onychotillus'' Chapin, 1945 * '' Orthocladiscus'' Corporaal & van der Wiel, 1949 * ''
Pallenis ''Pallenis'' is a small genus of flowering plants in the tribe Inuleae within the family Asteraceae. The name is derived from ''palea'' (chaff), referring to the chaffy receptacle. This is primarily a Mediterranean genus, occurring in desert ...
'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1836 * '' Paracladiscus'' Miyatake, 1965 * '' Paradoxocerus'' Kraatz, 1899 * '' Paraspinoza'' Corporaal, 1942 * '' Philocalus'' Klug, 1842 * '' Picoclerus'' Corporaal, 1936 * †'' Prospinoza'' (fossil) * '' Pseudachlamys'' Duvivier, 1892 * '' Pseudogyponix'' Pic, 1939 * '' Pseudopallenis'' Kuwert, 1893 * '' Pseudoteloclerus'' Pic, 1932 * '' Rhopaloclerus'' Fairmaire, 1886 * '' Smudlotillus'' Kolibac, 1997 * '' Spinoza'' Lewis, 1892 * '' Stenocylidrus'' Spinola, 1844 * '' Strotocera'' Schenkling, 1902 * '' Synellapotillus'' Pic, 1939 * '' Synellapus'' Fairmaire, 1903 * '' Teloclerus'' Schenkling, 1903 * '' Tilloclerus'' White, 1849 * '' Tillodadiscus'' Pic, 1953 * '' Tillodenops'' Hintz, 1905 * ''
Tilloidea ''Tilloidea'' is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. There are about six described species in ''Tilloidea''. They are found in Europe, North Africa, South and Southeast Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and ...
'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1832 * ''
Tillus ''Tillus'' is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Cleridae. The genus was first described by Olivier in 1790. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution In biogeography, cosmopolitan distribution is the term for the range of a taxon t ...
'' Olivier, 1790 * '' Tylotosoma'' Hintz, 1902 '' Incertae sedis'' * '' Aphelocerus'' Kirsch, 1871 (Clerinae? Tillinae?) * '' Apteropilo'' Lea, 1908 (Clerinae? Enopliinae?) * '' Cleropiestus'' Fairmaire, 1889 (Clerinae? Hydnocerinae?) * '' Dermestoides'' Schaeffer, 1771 (Korynetinae ''
s.l. SL may refer to: Arts and entertainment * SL (rapper), a rapper from London * ''Second Life'', a multi-user 3D virtual world * Sensei's Library, an Internet site dedicated to the game of Go * Subdominant leittonwechselklänge * Leica SL, a mirror ...
''?) * '' Evenoclerus'' Corporaal, 1950 (Clerinae? Hydnocerinae?) * '' Muisca'' Spinola, 1844 (Clerinae? Enopliinae?) * '' Parapelonides'' Barr, 1980 (Korynetinae ''s.l.''?) * '' Perilypus'' Spinola, 1841 (Clerinae? Tillinae?) * '' Syriopelta'' Winkler, 1984 (Korynetinae ''s.l.''?)


References


External links


Atlas of checkered beetles (Cleridae) of Russia




{{Taxonbar, from=Q377988 Polyphaga families Taxa named by Pierre André Latreille