Fauna of New Zealand Number 47 Erotylidae (Insecta : Coleoptera : Cucujoidea) : phylogeny and review

Richard  A. B. Leschen

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.

Contributor Rich Leschen was born in Arkansas, USA and raised in St Louis. He completed a Masters at the University of Arkansas and studied the systematics of Cryptophagidae at the University of Kansas. A curatorial assistant position at the Snow Entomological Museum gave him a broad training in the identification and systematics of world Coleoptera. Since joining Landcare Research he has maintained an interest in Coleoptera systematics and an involvement with the local and international beetle community. His main objective is to produce useful beetle classifications and to promote the study of natural history.

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Author: Richard  A. B. Leschen
ISBN: 978-0-47-809350-6
Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press
Publication date: 2003
Pages: 108
Format: Paperback