The Aderidae, ant-like leaf beetles, are a family of beetles that bear some resemblance to ants. The family consists of about 1,000 species in about 50 genera, of which most are tropical, although overall distribution is worldwide.
As with the Anthicidae, their heads constrict just in front of the pronotum, forming a neck, although the posterior end of the pronotum is not usually as narrow. The eyes are hairy with a granular appearance. The first two abdominal sternites are fused, and in only some groups is a suture even visible. Sizes are 1â€"4 mm.
As the name suggests, most adults are found on the undersides of the leaves of shrubs and trees, while larvae have found in rotting wood, leaf litter, and nests of other insects.
As of 2002, the last publication of a world catalog of the family was that of Maurice Pic in 1910.
Synonyms of the family include:
Genera
References
- Donald S. Chandler, "Aderidae", in Ross H. Arnett, Jr. and Michael C. Thomas, American Beetles (CRC Press, 2002), vol. 2
