Author: Richard Leschen    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

This contribution treats the nine species of the New Zealand Erotylidae, a small family considering there are approximately 3500 species worldwide. In New Zealand there has been little research into this family of beetles, perhaps because they tend to be mostly small and brown, though elsewhere they can be big and beautiful.



Part of this contribution proposes an amended classification for the world fauna of Erotylidae, by erecting two new tribes, describing two new genera, and making changes to generic status and family placement. How the New Zealand members of Erotylidae fit into this new classification is of primary importance for understanding the origins of our local fauna and how they relate to other erotylids. It also considers the phylogenetic or family relationships which the New Zealand species have with erotylid beetles throughout the rest of the world, such as Australia, New Caledonia, South America, and possibly South Africa.



The family can be easily separated from other groups, but a microscope will be necessary to discriminate these species from similar families such as Cryptophagidae. The identification keys which are supplied with this Fauna will help. The species are not difficult to identify, some having distinctive colour patterns that make for easy recognition. New Zealand’s fauna reflects the mixture of feeding types which make up the erotylid family, some feeding on fungus, others on plants and the remainder being scavengers feeding on plant and fungus tissues.



Annotated keys to the higher taxa and genera of all subfamilies except Erotylinae and Languriini are provided and biological information, including cycad feeding and mycophagy, is summarised.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 108

Publication Date: 28-02-2014

Availability Date: 28-02-2014

Tag: Science & Nature