| Bostrichoidea Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Anthrenus verbasci (Dermestidae) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Bostrichiformia |
| Superfamily: | Bostrichoidea Latreille, 1802 |
Bostrichoidea is a superfamily of beetles. It is the type superfamily of the infraorder Bostrichiformia.
The Bostrichoidea are united by the following features: modified cryptonephridism, the structure of the aedeagus in males, and the lack of a basal mandibular mola in larvae. [1]
Aside from this, Bostrichoidea show a range of morphologies. For example, in Bostrichidae alone, the adult body shape varies from convex to flattened, the body length from 2 to 50 mm (0.079 to 1.969 in), and the colour may be yellow, brown or black and sometimes has a metallic hue. [2]
Bostrichoids generally live in dry habitats. For example, many Bostrichidae feed on wood, though some attack monocotyledonous plants as well and Rhyzopertha dominica feeds on stored grains and cereal products. [2] Similarly, most Ptinidae are wood-borers as larvae but some feed on other dry plant or animal material, such as stored foods, tobacco and museum specimens. [3] Dermestidae are typically scavengers on dried organic matter with a high protein content, with some species being predators or feeding on pollen and nectar. [4]
Bostrichoidea includes the following subgroups: [5]
Ptinidae is a family of beetles in the superfamily Bostrichoidea. There are at least 220 genera and 2,200 described species in Ptinidae worldwide. The family includes spider beetles and deathwatch beetles.
Xyletininae is a subfamily of death-watch and spider beetles in the family Ptinidae. There are about 13 genera and at least 170 described species in Xyletininae.
Anobiinae is a subfamily of death-watch beetles in the family Ptinidae, with at least 45 genera. It was formerly considered a member of the family Anobiidae, but its family name has since been changed to Ptinidae.
Dorcatominae is a subfamily of death-watch and spider beetles in the family Ptinidae. There are about 16 genera and at least 190 described species in Dorcatominae.
Dryophilinae is a subfamily of death-watch and spider beetles in the family Ptinidae. There are at least six genera and two described species in Dryophilinae.
Lichenophanes is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are more than 40 described species in Lichenophanes.
Scobicia is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are about 11 described species in Scobicia.
Xyloperthini is a tribe of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are more than 30 genera and 140 described species in Xyloperthini.
Attagenini is a tribe of carpet beetles in the family Dermestidae. There are at least 4 genera and 20 described species in Attagenini. Attagenini was previously considered a subfamily of Dermestidae called Attageninae, but was reduced in rank to tribe in 2003.
Prostephanus is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are about five described species in Prostephanus.
Stephanopachys is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are more than 20 described species in Stephanopachys.
Xyloblaptus is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are at least three described species in Xyloblaptus.
Polycaon is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are at least four described species in Polycaon.
Xylobiops is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are about six described species in Xylobiops.
Melalgus is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are more than 20 described species in Melalgus.
Dendrobiella is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae. There are about seven described species in Dendrobiella.
Xyletinini is a tribe of death-watch and spider beetles in the family Ptinidae. There are at least 10 genera and 70 described species in Xyletinini.
Prothecini is a tribe of death-watch and spider beetles in the family Ptinidae. There are about 15 genera in Prothecini.
Dorcatomini is a tribe of beetles in the family Ptinidae. There are at least 3 genera and 50 described species in Dorcatomini.