The Omaliinae are a subfamily of the
Staphylinidae
The rove beetles are a family (biology), family (Staphylinidae) of beetles, primarily distinguished by their short elytra (wing covers) that typically leave more than half of their abdominal segments exposed. With over 66,000 species in thousand ...
, rove beetles.
[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, Florida. ix + 443 p.]
Anatomy
Typical adults are 1.5 to 6 mm long, somewhat broader in shape than are most Staphylinidae, with somewhat longer
elytra
An elytron (; ; : elytra, ) is a modified, hardened forewing of beetles (Coleoptera), though a few of the true bugs (Hemiptera) such as the family Schizopteridae are extremely similar; in true bugs, the forewings are called hemelytra (sometime ...
(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 is a pair of
ocelli
A simple eye or ocellus (sometimes called a pigment pit) is a form of eye or an optical arrangement which has a single lens without the sort of elaborate retina that occurs in most vertebrates. These eyes are called "simple" to distinguish the ...
near the base of the head, and in a few, the elytra cover the entire abdomen. The maxillary mala of larvae are strap-shaped, but not as long as in the
Proteininae, and the
mandible
In jawed vertebrates, the mandible (from the Latin ''mandibula'', 'for chewing'), lower jaw, or jawbone is a bone that makes up the lowerand typically more mobilecomponent of the mouth (the upper jaw being known as the maxilla).
The jawbone i ...
lacks a
prostheca.
Image: Acidota subcarinata 0112957 dorsal.tif, ''Acidota subcarinata''
Image: Brathinus nitidus 0157240 dorsal.tif, ''Brathinus nitidus''
Image: Deinopteroloma pictum 0157241 dorsal.tif, ''Deinopteroloma pictum''
Image: Phloeonomus laesicollis 0107496 dorsal.tif, ''Phloeonomus laesicollis''
Ecology
Adults and larvae occur in leaf litter, decaying fruits, moss, and under bark of dead trees. 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 feed on freshly killed small insects), though a few seem to be phytophagous (they damage flowers) or saprophagous (they feed on decaying fruits).
Systematics and evolution
The Omaliinae subfamily is large (comprising over 100 genera), and is divided into these seven
tribe
The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide use of the term in English is in the discipline of anthropology. The definition is contested, in part due to conflict ...
s:
*
Anthophagini
*
Omaliini
*
Eusphalerini
*
Hadrognathini
*
Corneolabiini
*
Coryphiini
*
Aphaenostemmini
In North America, 55 genera and more than 200 species are found.
References
External links
*Omaliinae at Bugguide.net
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1946931
Omaliinae,
Beetle subfamilies