Eucinetidae

Eucinetus U.S.

The Purzelkäfer ( Eucinetidae ) are a family of beetles ( Coleoptera) dar.

Features

The representatives of this group reach body sizes between three and four millimeters. The body is ovoid, strongly arched and reddish-brown to black. The elytra have conspicuous stripes. In this they resemble the sting beetles ( Mordellidae ), and just like this is their escape response of " tumbling " motions. The sensors are elfgliedrig, the five-membered legs.

Way of life

The beetles feed on decaying plant parts and live mainly on sand and loess soils under such plant remains.

System

In Europe, the family of Purzelkäfer is represented by eight species from three genera.

Genus Eucilodes

• Eucilodes caucasicus ( Reitter, 1885)

Genus Eucinetus

• Eucinetus haemorrhoidalis ( Germar, 1818)

Genus Nycteus

• Nycteus bicolor ( Reitter, 1887)
• Nycteus hopffgarteni ( Reitter, 1885)
• Laporte de Castelnau Nycteus meridionalis, 1836
• Nycteus oertzeni ( Reitter, 1887)
• Nycteus prospector ( Vit, 1985)
• Nycteus wollastoni ( Vit, 1985)