| Onthophilus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Onthophilus striatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Histeridae |
| Subfamily: | Onthophilinae |
| Genus: | Onthophilus Leach, 1817 |
Onthophilus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 40 described species in Onthophilus. [1] [2] [3] Fossils of the genus have been discovered in Burmese amber, estimated to be 100 million years old. [4]
These 41 species belong to the genus Onthophilus:
Histeridae is a family of beetles commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles. This very diverse group of beetles contains 3,900 species found worldwide. They can be easily identified by their shortened elytra that leaves two of the seven tergites exposed, and their geniculate (elbowed) antennae with clubbed ends. These predatory feeders are most active at night and will fake death if they feel threatened. This family of beetles will occupy almost any kind of niche throughout the world. Hister beetles have proved useful during forensic investigations to help in time of death estimation. Also, certain species are used in the control of livestock pests that infest dung and to control houseflies. Because they are predacious and will even eat other hister beetles, they must be isolated when collected.
Sphindidae is a family of beetles, in the suborder Polyphaga. They are called slime mold beetles due to their exclusive feeding on slime molds during adult and larval stages, other aspects of their life history are obscure. Palaeontological discoveries since 2015 have added to the geologic history of Sphindidae, including the discovery of Libanopsis, placed in the extinct subfamily Libanopsinae.
Dendrophilinae is a subfamily of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 30 genera and 490 described species in Dendrophilinae.
Saprininae is a subfamily of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 50 genera and 800 described species in Saprininae.
Platysoma is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are at least 60 described species in Platysoma.
Teretrius is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are at least 70 described species in Teretrius.
Onthophilinae is a subfamily of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are about 8 genera and at least 80 described species in Onthophilinae.
Atholus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 70 described species in Atholus.
Bacanius is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 70 described species in Bacanius.
Epierus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 50 described species in Epierus.
Aeletes is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 80 described species in Aeletes.
Eurylister is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 40 described species in Eurylister.
Dendrophilus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are about 10 described species in Dendrophilus.
Halacritus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 20 described species in Halacritus.
Gnathoncus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 20 described species in Gnathoncus.
Euspilotus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are more than 80 described species in Euspilotus.
Anapleus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are about 16 described species in Anapleus.
Idolia is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae. There are about six described species in Idolia.
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