# Darkling beetle > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Darkling_beetle > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Darkling_beetle.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkling_beetle > Source revision: 1344944553 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Family of beetles Darkling beetle Temporal range: Late Jurassic–Recent PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Onymacris unguicularis (Tenebrioninae: Adesmiini) Scale bar (bottom left) is 10 mm Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Clade: Pancrustacea Class: Insecta Order: Coleoptera Suborder: Polyphaga Infraorder: Cucujiformia Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea Family: Tenebrionidae Latreille, 1802 Subfamilies See text Synonyms Alleculidae **Darkling beetle** is the [common name](/source/Common_name) for members of the [beetle](/source/Beetle) family **Tenebrionidae**, comprising over 20,000 [species](/source/Species) in a cosmopolitan distribution. ## Taxonomy *Tenebrio* is the Latin [generic](/source/Genus) name that [Carl Linnaeus](/source/Carl_Linnaeus) assigned to some [flour beetles](/source/Flour_beetle) in his *[10th edition of Systema Naturae](/source/10th_edition_of_Systema_Naturae)* 1758–59.[1] The name means "lover of darkness";[2] the English language term 'darkling' means "characterised by darkness or obscurity";[3] see also English 'tenebrous', figuratively "obscure, gloomy."[4] Many Tenebrionidae species inhabit dark places; in [genera](/source/Genera) such as *Stenocara* and *Onymacris*, they are active by day and inactive at night. The family covers a varied range of forms, such that classification presents great difficulties. These eleven subfamilies were listed in the 2021 review by Bouchard, Bousquet, *et al.*, updating a similar catalog from 2005.[5][6] - [Alleculinae](/source/Alleculinae) Laporte, 1840 - [Blaptinae](/source/Blaptinae) Leach, 1815 - [Diaperinae](/source/Diaperinae) Latreille, 1802 - [Kuhitangiinae](/source/Kuhitangiinae) G.S. Medvedev, 1962 - [Lagriinae](/source/Lagriinae) Latreille, 1825 - [Nilioninae](/source/Nilioninae) Oken, 1843 - [Phrenapatinae](/source/Phrenapatinae) Solier, 1834 - [Pimeliinae](/source/Pimeliinae) Latreille, 1802 - [Stenochiinae](/source/Stenochiinae) Kirby, 1837 - [Tenebrioninae](/source/Tenebrioninae) Latreille, 1802 - [Zolodininae](/source/Zolodininae) Watt, 1975 Ongoing phylogenetic studies are showing that some taxonomic changes are needed. For instance the tribal classification of tribe [Pedinini](/source/Pedinini) has recently been altered.[7] The misspelling "Te**r**ebrionidae" occurs frequently enough to be easily overlooked.[8][9] The error appears to have no particular significance, but to be the product of misreadings, mis-scans and mis-typings. *Tenebrionidae* head The oldest known member of the family is *[Jurallecula](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jurallecula&action=edit&redlink=1)* from the [Late Jurassic](/source/Late_Jurassic) [Karabastau Formation](/source/Karabastau_Formation) of Kazakhstan, assigned to the subfamily Alleculinae. ## Characteristics The Tenebrionidae may be identified by a combination of features, including: - Their eleven-segmented [antennae](/source/Antenna_(biology)) that may be [filiform](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/filiform), [moniliform](/source/Antenna_(biology)) or weakly clubbed - First abdominal [sternite](/source/Sternite) is entire and not divided by the hind [coxae](/source/Arthropod_coxa) - Eyes notched by a frontal ridge - Four segments in the hind pair of [tarsi](/source/Arthropod_leg) and five in the fore and mid-legs (5–5–4), with simple claws ## Biology and ecology Tenebrionid beetles occupy [ecological niches](/source/Ecological_niche) in mainly deserts and forests as plant [scavengers](/source/Scavenger). Most species are generalistic [omnivores](/source/Omnivores), and feed on decaying leaves, rotting wood, fresh plant matter, dead insects, and fungi as larvae and adults.[10] Several genera, including *Bolitotherus*, are specialized [fungivores](/source/Fungivores) which feed on [polypores](/source/Polypore). Many of the larger species are flightless, and those that are capable, such as [*T. molitor*](/source/Tenebrio_molitor), often rarely do so.[11][12][13] A tenebrionid larva (*[Eleodes](/source/Eleodes)* sp.) The [larvae](/source/Larvae), known as [mealworms](/source/Mealworms) or false wireworms, are usually [fossorial](/source/Fossorial), heavily [sclerotized](/source/Sclerotization) and nocturnal. They may possibly be an important resource for certain [invertebrates](/source/Invertebrates) and small [mammals](/source/Mammals). Adults of many species have chemical defenses and are relatively protected against predators.[12] Adults of most species, except grain pests, have slow metabolisms, and live long lives compared to other insects, ranging from approximately six months to two years. [Some species](/source/Namib_Desert_beetle) live in intensely dry deserts such as the [Namib](/source/Namib_desert), and have evolved adaptions by which they collect droplets of fog that deposit on their [elytra](/source/Elytron). As the droplets accumulate the water drains down the beetles' backs to their mouthparts, where they swallow it.[14] Humans spread some species such that they have become cosmopolitan, such as *[Tribolium castaneum](/source/Tribolium_castaneum)*, the red flour beetle, which was spread through grain products. ## Notable types The [larval](/source/Larva) stages of several species are cultured as [feeder insects](/source/Feeder_insect) for captive [insectivores](/source/Insectivore) or as laboratory subjects: - *[Tenebrio molitor](/source/Tenebrio_molitor)*, or [mealworm](/source/Mealworm), is commonly used to feed terrestrial [amniotes](/source/Amniote) kept in [terraria](/source/Terrarium). - *[Tribolium castaneum](/source/Tribolium_castaneum)* is a laboratory animal useful as a [model organism](/source/Model_organism), especially in studies of [intragenomic conflict](/source/Intragenomic_conflict) and population ecology. - *[Zophobas morio](/source/Zophobas_morio)*, or [superworm](/source/Superworm), is valued as a feed for captive reptiles; it contains less [chitin](/source/Chitin) than *Tenebrio molitor*. - *[Alphitobius diaperinus](/source/Alphitobius_diaperinus)*, lesser mealworm[15] - Many tenebrionids are pests of [cereal](/source/Cereal) and [flour](/source/Flour) [silos](/source/Storage_silo) and other storage facilities, including *T. castaneum*, other *[Tribolium](/source/Tribolium_(beetle))* species such as *[Tribolium confusum](/source/Tribolium_confusum)* and *[Tribolium destructor](/source/Tribolium_destructor)*, and *[Gnatocerus cornutus](/source/Gnatocerus_cornutus).* - In southwestern North America, species of the genus *[Eleodes](/source/Eleodes)* (particularly *[E. obscura](/source/Eleodes_obscura)*) are well known as "[pinacate beetles](/source/Pinacate_beetle)" or "desert stink beetles". - Several genera, such as *[Stenocara](/source/Stenocara)* and *[Onymacris](/source/Onymacris)*, are of interest in ecological studies of arid conditions and their associated adaptations. - *[Ulomoides dermestoides](/source/Ulomoides_dermestoides)*, known as "Chinese weevil", "peanut beetle", "cancer beetle", or "asthma beetle", is eaten in Argentina where it is thought to be a treatment for cancer, asthma, and other illnesses. - *[Luprops tristis](/source/Luprops_tristis)* is found in India, where it is known as the Mupli beetle. It is notorious for a defensive secretion that causes skin burns. Since they congregate in large numbers, they can easily become a pest. ## Gallery - *[Diaperis boleti](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diaperis_boleti&action=edit&redlink=1)* under bark of [oak](/source/Oak). - *[Lagria](/source/Lagria)* sp. ([Lagriinae](/source/Lagriinae)) in [Tanzania](/source/Tanzania) - *[Platynotus excavatus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Platynotus_excavatus&action=edit&redlink=1)*, India - *[Stenocara dentata](/source/Stenocara_dentata)* in southern Africa - *[Gonopus tibialis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gonopus_tibialis&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Pie dish beetle, *[Helea](/source/Helea)* sp. in Australia - *Hegemona* sp. (De Laporte, 1840) from Belize - *[Neomida bicornis](/source/Neomida_bicornis)*, male - *Neomida bicornis*, female - *[Meracantha contracta](/source/Meracantha_contracta)*, USA ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Linnaeus, Carl](/source/Carl_Linnaeus) (1759). ["Caroli Linnæi ... Animalium specierum in classes, ordines, genera, species, methodica dispositio ."](https://archive.org/details/carolilinniani00linn) (in Latin). Leiden: Theodor Haak. p. 134. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Jaeger_2-0)** [Jaeger, Edmund Carroll](/source/Edmund_Jaeger) (1978) [1959]. [*A source-book of biological names and terms*](https://archive.org/details/sourcebookofbiol0000jaeg/page/258/mode/2up?view=theater) (6th printing, 3rd ed.). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. p. 259. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0398009163](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0398009163). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-isbn0-19-861271-0_3-0)** Brown, Lesley, ed. (1993). [*The New shorter Oxford English dictionary on historical principles, Vol. 1, A–M*](https://archive.org/details/newshorteroxford00lesl). Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 594. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0198612710](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0198612710). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Onions_4-0)** [Onions, C. T.](/source/C._T._Onions), ed. (1973). [*The shorter Oxford English dictionary on historical principles, Vol. 2, N-Z*](https://archive.org/details/shorteroxfordeng0000litt/page/2260/mode/2up) (Reset with revised etymologies and addenda, 3rd ed.). Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 2261. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-861116-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-861116-5). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bouchard2021_5-0)** Bouchard, Patrice; Bousquet, Yves; Aalbu, Rolf L.; Alonso-Zarazaga, Miguel A.; et al. (2021). ["Review of genus-group names in the family Tenebrionidae (Insecta, Coleoptera)"](https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/64217/). *ZooKeys* (1050): 1–633. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2021ZooK.1050....1B](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021ZooK.1050....1B). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3897/zookeys.1050.64217](https://doi.org/10.3897%2Fzookeys.1050.64217). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[10261/250214](https://hdl.handle.net/10261%2F250214). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [8328949](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8328949). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [34385881](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34385881). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-BLDN_6-0)** Bouchard, Patrice; Lawrence, John F.; Davies, Anthony E.; Newton, Alfred F. (2005) ["Synoptic Classification of the World Tenebrionidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) with a Review of Family-Group Names"](https://www.miiz.waw.pl/periodicals/annales-zoologici/abstracts/AZ_55-4abs.pdf). *Annales Zoologici* (Warszawa), 55(4): 499–530. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Kaminski2019_7-0)** Kamiński, M.J.; Kanda, K.; Lumen, R.; Smith, A.D.; Iwan, D. (2019). "Molecular phylogeny of Pedinini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) and its implications for higher-level classification". *Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society*. **185** (1): 77–97. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/zoolinnean/zly033](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fzoolinnean%2Fzly033). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hill1997_8-0)** Dennis S. Hill (1997). [*The Economic Importance of Insects*](https://books.google.com/books?id=RKQIAqMyBJgC&pg=PA109). Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 109–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0412498008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0412498008). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Egyptian Beetle (Blaps polychresta) - by Graeme Ruck - JungleDragon"](https://www.jungledragon.com/image/12213/egyptian_beetle_blaps_polychresta.html). *www.jungledragon.com*. Retrieved 2023-02-02. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Species Bolitotherus cornutus – Forked Fungus Beetle"](http://bugguide.net/node/view/7187). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Flying Mealworm Beetle (Tenebrio molitor)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGDd3S8XOYI) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier)) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bugguide.net_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bugguide.net_12-1) ["Family Tenebrionidae - Darkling Beetles"](https://bugguide.net/node/view/152). *bugguide.net*. Retrieved 2023-02-02. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Bolitotherus cornutus"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122536/http://www.americaninsects.net/b/bolitotherus-cornutus.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.americaninsects.net/b/bolitotherus-cornutus.html) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-08-14. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Desert beetles inspire aircraft design that doesn't freeze"](http://www.zmescience.com/research/technology/desert-beetles-aicraft-freeze-042352/). *ZME Science*. 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2016-01-27. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-alphdi_15-0)** [*Alphitobius diaperinus*, lesser mealworm.](http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/livestock/poultry/lesser_mealworm.htm) [University of Florida](/source/University_of_Florida) [IFAS](/source/Institute_of_Food_and_Agricultural_Sciences) ## External links - [Tenebrionidae.net- information and pictures about darkling beetles](http://www.tenebrionidae.net) v t e Extant Coleoptera families Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Subclass: Pterygota Infraclass: Neoptera Superorder: Holometabola Suborder Archostemata Crowsoniellidae (Crowsoniella relicta) Cupedidae (reticulated beetles) Jurodidae (Sikhotealinia zhiltzovae) Micromalthidae Ommatidae Suborder Adephaga Extant families Amphizoidae (trout-stream beetles) Aspidytidae Carabidae (ground beetles) Cicindelidae (tiger beetles) Dytiscidae (predaceous diving beetles) Gyrinidae (whirligig beetles) Haliplidae (crawling water beetles) Hygrobiidae Meruidae (Meru phyllisae) Noteridae (burrowing water beetles) Trachypachidae (false ground beetles) Suborder Myxophaga Hydroscaphidae (skiff beetles) Lepiceridae Sphaeriusidae Torridincolidae Suborder Polyphaga Bostrichiformia Bostrichoidea Bostrichidae (auger beetles) Dermestidae (skin beetles) Endecatomidae Jacobsoniidae (Jacobson's beetles) Nosodendridae (wounded-tree beetles) Ptiniidae (furniture beetles, death watch beetles, spider beetles) Derodontoidea Derodontidae (tooth-necked fungus beetles) Cucujiformia Chrysomeloidea Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles) Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles) Disteniidae Megalopodidae Orsodacnidae Oxypeltidae Vesperidae Cleroidea Acanthocnemidae (Acanthocnemus nigricans) Biphyllidae (false skin beetles) Byturidae (fruitworm beetles) Chaetosomatidae Cleridae (checkered beetles) Lophocateridae Mauroniscidae Melyridae (soft-wing flower beetles) Metaxinidae (Metaxina ornata) Peltidae Phloiophilidae (Phloiophilus edwardsi) Phycosecidae Prionoceridae Protopeltidae Rentoniidae Rhadalidae Thanerocleridae Thymalidae Trogossitidae (bark-gnawing beetles) Coccinelloidea Akalyptoischiidae Alexiidae Anamorphidae Bothrideridae (dry bark beetles) Cerylonidae (minute bark beetles) Coccinellidae (lady beetles, or God's cows) Corylophidae (minute fungus beetles) Discolomatidae Endomychidae (handsome fungus beetles) Eupsilobiidae Euxestidae (well polished beetles) Latridiidae (minute brown scavenger beetles) Murmidiidae Mycetaeidae Teredidae Cucujoidea Agapythidae (Agapytho foveicollis) Boganiidae Cavognathidae Cryptophagidae (silken fungus beetles) Cucujidae (flat bark beetles) Cybocephalidae Cyclaxyridae Erotylidae (pleasing fungus beetles) Helotidae Hobartiidae Kateretidae (short-winged flower beetles) Laemophloeidae (lined flat bark beetles) Lamingtoniidae (Lamingtonium binnaberrense) Monotomidae (root-eating beetles) Myraboliidae Nitidulidae (sap beetles) Passandridae (parasitic flat bark beetles) Phalacridae (shining flower beetles) Phloeostichidae Priasilphidae Propalticidae Protocucujidae Silvanidae (silvanid flat bark beetles) Smicripidae (palmetto beetles) Sphindidae (dry-fungus beetles) Tasmosalpingidae Curculionoidea (weevils) Anthribidae (fungus weevils) Attelabidae (leaf-rolling weevils) Belidae (primitive weevils) Brentidae (straight snout weevils, New York weevil) Caridae Curculionidae (true weevils, bark beetles, ambrosia beetles) Nemonychidae (pine flower weevils) Lymexyloidea Lymexylidae (ship-timber beetles) Tenebrionoidea Aderidae (ant-like leaf beetles) Anthicidae (ant-like flower beetles) Archeocrypticidae (cryptic fungus beetles) Boridae (conifer bark beetles) Chalcodryidae Ciidae (minute tree-fungus beetles) Melandryidae (false darkling beetles) Meloidae (blister beetles) Mordellidae (tumbling flower beetles) Mycetophagidae (hairy fungus beetles) Mycteridae (palm and flower beetles) Oedemeridae (false blister beetle) Perimylopidae, or Promecheilidae Prostomidae (jugular-horned beetles) Pterogeniidae Pyrochroidae (fire-coloured beetles) Pythidae (dead log bark beetles) Ripiphoridae (wedge-shaped beetles) Salpingidae (narrow-waisted bark beetles) Scraptiidae (false flower beetles) Stenotrachelidae (false longhorn beetles) Synchroidae (synchroa bark beetles) Tenebrionidae (darkling beetles) Tetratomidae (polypore fungus beetles) Trictenotomidae Ulodidae Zopheridae (ironclad beetles, cylindrical bark beetles) Elateriformia Buprestoidea Buprestidae (jewel beetles, or metallic wood-boring beetles) Schizopodidae Byrrhoidea Byrrhidae (pill beetles) Callirhipidae (cedar beetles) Chelonariidae (turtle beetles) Cneoglossidae Dryopidae (long-toed water beetles) Elmidae (riffle beetles) Eulichadidae (forest stream beetles) Heteroceridae (variegated mud-loving beetles) Limnichidae (minute mud beetles) Lutrochidae (travertine beetles) Psephenidae (water-penny beetles) Ptilodactylidae Dascilloidea Dascillidae (soft bodied plant beetles) Rhipiceridae (cicada beetle, cicada parasite beetles) Elateroidea Artematopodidae (soft-bodied plant beetles) Brachypsectridae (Texas beetles) Cantharidae (soldier beetles) Cerophytidae (rare click beetles) Elateridae (click beetles) Eucnemidae (false click beetles) Jurasaidae Lampyridae (fireflies) Lycidae (net-winged beetles) Omethidae (false fireflies, long-lipped beetles) Phengodidae (glowworm beetles) Rhagophthalmidae Sinopyrophoridae Throscidae (false metallic wood-boring beetles) Rhinorhipoidea Rhinorhipidae (Rhinorhipus tamborinensis) Scirtoidea Clambidae Decliniidae (Declinia relicta) Eucinetidae (plate-thigh beetles) Scirtidae Scarabaeiformia Scarabaeoidea Belohinidae (Belohina inexpectata) Bolboceratidae Diphyllostomatidae (false stag beetles) Geotrupidae (dor beetles) Glaphyridae (bumble bee scarab beetles) Glaresidae (enigmatic scarab beetles) Hybosoridae (scavenger scarab beetles) Lucanidae (stag beetles) Ochodaeidae (sand-loving scarab beetles) Passalidae (betsy beetles) Pleocomidae (rain beetles) Scarabaeidae (scarabs) Trogidae (hide beetles) Staphyliniformia Histeroidea Histeridae (clown beetles) Sphaeritidae (false clown beetles) Synteliidae Hydrophiloidea Epimetopidae Georissidae (minute mud-loving beetles) Helophoridae Hydrochidae Hydrophilidae (water scavenger beetles) Spercheidae Staphylinoidea Agyrtidae (primitive carrion beetles) Hydraenidae Leiodidae (round fungus beetles) Ptiliidae (feather-winged beetles) Staphylinidae (rove beetles) List of subgroups of the order Coleoptera Taxon identifiers Tenebrionidae Wikidata: Q615799 Wikispecies: Tenebrionidae AFD: Tenebrionidae BioLib: 14580 BOLD: 1122 BugGuide: 152 CoL: GZD EoL: 8624 EPPO: 1TENEF Fauna Europaea: 11077 Fauna Europaea (new): 7235baaf-6dc6-46c8-8b03-224f5abe3dda GBIF: 7857 iNaturalist: 53816 IRMNG: 105034 ITIS: 114419 NBN: NHMSYS0020153596 NCBI: 7065 NZOR: 90c4f51e-e6c7-443c-a112-61008514cb9d Open Tree of Life: 1093476 Paleobiology Database: 69559 Plazi: E124B46C-DC43-8041-5BCA-6E21B4B7FD53 WoRMS: 150728 Authority control databases National United States Czech Republic Israel Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Darkling beetle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkling_beetle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkling_beetle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.