EROTYLIDAE - PLEASING FUNGUS BEETLES
Despite the somewhat ridiculous group name, many of the Pleasing Fungus Beetles are indeed pleasing on the eye. It is an extremely variable family ranging in size from 1.5 to 30mm. Diurnal species tend to be brightly-coloured and fast-moving with finely faceted eyes, nocturnal species being duller, slower and with broadly faceted eyes. The head is small and withdrawn into the prothorax. Because of the diversity within the family it is difficult to generalise as to their life histories. Many species feed on fungi, but others are herbivorous and a few even predacious. Larvae mutate three times before pupating. Mating takes place on or close to the food source, with eggs being laid directly onto the substrate. Larvae are often gregarious.
Many thanks to Paul Skelley for identifying the images on this page.
Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law. Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay. Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, Rebbeca Zarza, José Luis Cartes and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
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