File: <anthicid.htm>

COLEOPTERA, Anthicidae

Larvae of several species of Anthicidae develop as predators on the immature stages of other insects, some being wholly predaceous while others are scavengers or plant feeders. Anthicus heroicus Casey is a predator of the sialid, Corydalis cornuta L. The neuropteron lays its eggs during midsummer in large masses of several thousand. These are covered with a tough, calcareous material, upon leaves or other objects overhanging or near water. Both larvae and adults of Anthicus feed extensively on these eggs, and a dozen or more may be found in a single egg mass (Howard 1896). The female beetle was said to gnaw a hole in the egg mass, in which she placed her own eggs. When finished feeding, the larvae enter the soil or trash for pupation. There are evidently several generations yearly, and hibernation is as adults (Howard 1896). Gill (cited by Clausen, 1940) recorded Notoxus monodon F. as feeding on pupae of Archips in rolled leaves.

Anthicids resemble ants in morphology and their ability to run about quickly. They are destinguished by a hornlike structure that projects cephalad from the pronotum. Adult beetles are commonly collected on flowers and foliage of trees and shrubs, under logs, stones and debris, as well as in burrows. Larvae live in decaying plant material and fruit (Headstrom 1977, White 1983).

References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [ Additional references may be found at: MELVYL Library]

Headstrom, R. 1977. The Beetles of America. A. S. Barnes & Co. London & NY. 488 p.

White, R. E. 1983. A Field Guide to the Beetles of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 368 p.