Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

The family Nitidulidae belongs to the superfamily Cucujoidea in the suborder Polyphaga of the order Coleoptera (beetles).

• Order: Coleoptera

  • Suborder: Polyphaga

    • Superfamily: Cucujoidea

      • Family: Nitidulidae

Six subfamilies of Nitidulidae are recognized, although the classification at both the generic and subfamily levels is still in a state of flux. One subfamily, Brachypterinae, was recently elevated to family status. The subfamily Cybocephalinae is often placed in its own family Cybocephalidae, and sometimes Cateretidae, Brachypteridae, Cybocephalidae and Smicripidae are included in the Nitidulidae.

The Nitidulidae are a small family of mostly small beetles. There are 165 species in North America and about 3,000 described worldwide, although many more remain undescribed.

Adults

The length of adult Nitidulidae ranges from about 1 to 12 mm. Bodies are often depressed, usually oval shaped, but some elongate. The adults often bear red or yellow spots. The head is prognathous. The antennae...