The Bostrichoidea are united by the following features: modified cryptonephridism, the structure of the aedeagus in males, and the lack of a basal mandibular mola in larvae.[1]
Aside from this, Bostrichoidea show a range of morphologies. For example, in Bostrichidae alone, the adult body shape varies from convex to flattened, the body length from 2 to 50 mm (0.079 to 1.969 in), and the colour may be yellow, brown or black and sometimes has a metallic hue.[2]
Ecology
Bostrichoids generally live in dry habitats. For example, many Bostrichidae feed on wood, though some attack monocotyledonous plants as well and Rhyzopertha dominica feeds on stored grains and cereal products.[2] Similarly, most Ptinidae are wood-borers as larvae but some feed on other dry plant or animal material, such as stored foods, tobacco and museum specimens.[3] Dermestidae are typically scavengers on dried organic matter with a high protein content, with some species being predators or feeding on pollen and nectar.[4]
Families and subfamilies
Bostrichoidea includes the following subgroups:[5]
Family Bostrichidae Latreille, 1802 - Horned Powder-post Beetles
