Ant-like stone beetle
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Mastiginae |
The ant-like stone beetles are a family (Scydmaenidae) of beetles. These are small beetles (0.6-2.7mm), and 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.
Reference
- Ross H. Arnett, Jr. and Michael C. Thomas, American Beetles (CRC Press, 2001), vol. 1