Elateroidea and soft-bodied Cantharoidea,

but it was recently recognized that this

split was not a natural one, and they were

combined. In recent years, the number

of families has also changed, with new

techniques providing new evidence.

The science of taxonomy is being refined

constantly, so that classification more

closely reflects the evolutionary

relationships between organisms

above | Phengodes (Phengodidae)

A male North American glowworm with

scent-detecting antennae. The wormlike

females have multiple luminescent spots

and are called “railroad worms.”

right | Galbites (Eucnemidae)

Eucnemidae, such as this one from

Thailand, usually develop in dead wood,

and closely resemble Elateridae (although

most cannot click).