Cupedidae | |
---|---|
Tenomerga mucida | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Suborder: | Archostemata |
Family: |
Cupedidae Laporte, 1836 |
Genera | |
Adinolepsis |
Adinolepsis
Ascioplaga
Cupes
Paracupes
Priacma
Prolixocupes
Rhipsideigma
Tenomerga
The Cupedidae are a small family of beetles, notable for the square pattern of "windows" on their elytra (hard forewings), which give the family their common name of reticulated beetles.
The family consists of about 30 species in 9 genera, with a worldwide distribution. Many more extinct species are known, dating as far back as the Triassic.
These beetles tend to be elongated with a parallel-sided body, ranging in length from 10 to 20 mm, with colors brownish, blackish, or gray. The larvae are wood-borers, typically living in fungus-infested wood, and sometimes found in wood construction.
Males of Priacma serrata (western North America) are notable for being strongly attracted to common household bleach. This suggests that bleach is reminiscent of the female beetle's pheromones.