Reticulated beetles | ||||||||||||||||
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Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
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Genera | ||||||||||||||||
Adinolepsis Ascioplaga Cupes Distocupes Paracupes Priacma Prolixocupes Rhipsideigma Tenomerga |
The Reticulated beetles are a small family (Cupedidae) of primitive beetles, notable for the square pattern of "windows" on their elytra that gives the family its common name.
The family consists of about 30 species in nine genera, with a Pangean (worldwide) distribution. Many more extinct species are known, dating as far back as the Triassic.
These beetles tend to be elongate with a parallel-sided body, ranging in size from 5 to 25 mm, with colors brownish, blackish, or gray. The larvae are wood-borers, typically living in fungus-infested wood, and sometimes found in wood construction.
Males of Priacma serrata LeConte (western North America) are notable for being strongly attracted to common household bleach.