Scydmaenidae

Taxobox
name = Scydmaenidae


image_caption = "Scydmaenus tersatus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Coleoptera
subordo = Polyphaga
superfamilia = Staphylinoidea
familia = Scydmaenidae
familia_authority = Leach, 1815
subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies
subdivision =
Mastiginae
Scydmaeninae
"(80 genera)"

Scydmaenidae is a family of small (½–3 mm) beetles, sometimes called "ant-like stone beetles". Many of the species have necks and a narrowing between thorax and abdomen, resulting in a passing resemblance to ants that inspires their common name.

Scydmaenids typically live in leaf litter and rotting logs in forests, preferring moist habitats. A number of types are known to feed on oribatid mites, using "hole scraping" and "cutting" techniques to get through the mite's hard shells.

These beetles occur worldwide, and the family includes about 4,500 species in 80 genera.

References

* Ross H. Arnett, Jr. and Michael C. Thomas, "American Beetles" (CRC Press, 2001), vol. 1