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TOOTH-NECKED FUNGUS

BEETLES AND RELATIVES

DERODONTOIDEA

D

erodontoidea is a small superfamily of

Polyphaga, with an estimated 100 to 150

described species. Derodontoidea is here divided

into three families: Nosodendridae (diseased-tree

beetles), with two genera and 50 to 100 species;

Jacobsoniidae (Jacobson’s beetles), with three genera

and 20 species; and Derodontidae (tooth-necked

fungus beetles), with four genera and 30 species. The

classification is unstable and has changed repeatedly

in recent decades, with some studies placing the

mysterious Jacobsoniidae in Staphylinoidea.

The family Derodontidae is most diverse in the

temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, but

a few species are also found in temperate South

America (Chile) and New Zealand. Most species are

thought to feed on fungi as adults and larvae, and

unusually for beetles, are active in the colder months

of the year. Members of the genus Laricobius are

predators of aphids and their relatives— Laricobius

erichsoni was deliberately introduced into North

America as a biological control agent for balsam

woolly adelgid, a serious pest of fir plantations.

DERODONTOIDEA

superfamily

Derodontoidea

known species

150

distribution

Sporadically distributed around the world,

but never common

habitat

Derodontidae and Nosodendridae are

associated with forests, while Jacobsoniidae

are often found in caves

size

0.65–9 mm

diet

Mostly scavengers, eating dead organic

matter. Most Derodontidae are predators,

while Nosodendridae feed on sap leaking

from injured trees

notes

Derodontoidea, especially the tiny

Jacobsoniidae, are probably more abundant

than we realize. Most known Jacobsoniidae

left | Sarothrias cretaceus (Jacobsoniidae)

One of several such fossils from Cretaceous

Burmese amber. For a rare group,

Derodontoidea have a good fossil record.