Rank Superfamily | Scientific name Staphylinoidea Higher classification Staphyliniformia Order Beetle | |
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Lower classifications | ||
Staphylinoidea is a superfamily of beetles. It is a very large and diverse group with worldwide distribution.
Contents
Characteristics
Most staphylinoids are middle-sized or small beetles with a pair of shortened elytra. The hind wings have no accessory posterior ridge (locking device), no wedge cell and apical cell. Abdominal 8th segment not entirely invaginated in the 7th. Head mostly without coronal suture.
Systematics and evolution
Staphylinoidea contains the following subgroups:
The unambiguous fossil record dates back to Triassic, and an early Mesozoic origin of the group is probable.
References
Staphylinoidea Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA