Dascillidae Temporal range: | |
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Dascillus cervinus | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Suborder: | Polyphaga |
Infraorder: | Elateriformia |
Superfamily: | Dascilloidea |
Family: | Dascillidae Guérin-Méneville, 1843 |
Subfamilies | |
Dascillidae is a family of beetles within the clade Elateriformia. There are about 100 extant species in 11 genera, which are found worldwide. Dascillidae together with Rhipiceridae form the super family Dascilloidea. [1]
The family was named by Guérin Méneville in 1843. [2] The family is divided up into two poorly defined subfamilies, Karumiinae and Dascillinae. [3]
Adult Dascillidae are 4.5–25 mm long with an elongate body that is somewhat convex in cross-section. They are covered in dense grey/brown hairs. [4] Karumiines have highly modified soft-bodies, similar to some members of Elateroidea. [3]
The adults can be found on grass during the springtime. The larvae occur in moist soil or under rocks. [4] The larvae are thought to feed on roots or decaying plant matter. [5] Some karumiines like Karumia are associated with termites. [3]