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Steropinae

Dmitry Telnov
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Containing group: Anthicidae

Introduction

The Steropinae is a little group of midsized beetles. Two recent genera and nine species are known; a single fossil record of Steropes is known from Baltic amber. The general distribution is holarctic, but a single species is known also from the Oriental region. Members of Steropinae are mostly assiciated with arid to semiarid biotopes. The newest species account was published by Telnov (2006). The newest species key was presented by Abdullah (1969).

Characteristics

Frontoclypeal suture well developed to almost atrophied and presented by a transverse impression only. Mandible apices variable. Neck broad, about 1/2 to 1/3 of maximum head width. Three terminal antennomeres strongly elongate in male, significantly longer than previous antennomeres.

Pronotum flattened dorsally, rounded to slightly elongate, anterior rim narrow. Anterior angles not produced. Basal sulcus complete. Dorsal surface densely and evenly pubescent (genus Steropes) or almost without hairs (genus Anisotria). Procoxal cavities open internally and externally.

Elytra flattened dorsally, densely and largely punctured (genus Anisotria) or densely and very finely punctured and covered by dense pubscence (genus Steropes). In males of Steropes elytra are with a large oval inpubescent posthumeral spot. Metacoxae narrowly separated by acute intercoxal projection. Metacoxae nearly contiguous. Hind wings with both radial and anal cells present.

Legs long and with distinct paired tibial spurs.

Abdomen with 5 ventrites. Aedeagus with phallobase and parameres separate. Penis free. Sternite IX v-shaped.

Classification and Species List

Note: all taxa below are listed alphabetically.

Biology and Ecology

The Steropinae are well-connected with open arid to semiarid habitats (including mountains).  Only one species is known from rainforest habitats. These beetles are active diurnally and can often be observed on various vegetation or just running on the ground.

References

Abdullah M. 1969. The Natural classification of the Family Anthicidae with Some Ecological and Ethological Observations (Coleoptera). - Deutsche entomologische Zeitschrift 16, No. 4/5: 323-366.

Telnov D. 2006. The First Record of Steropinae from the Oriental region, with the Description of a New Steropes from Vietnam (Coleoptera: Anthicidae). – Journal of the Zoological Society Wallacea 2: 63-66.

Title Illustrations
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Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Scientific Name Steropes hercules
Location Vietnam
Reference Telnov D. 2006. The First Record of Steropinae from the Oriental region, with the Description of a New Steropes from Vietnam (Coleoptera: Anthicidae). – Journal of the Zoological Society Wallacea 2: 63-66.
Creator Dmitry Paramonov
Acknowledgements Herewith I thank Dmitry Paramonov, excellent wildlife artist (Riga / Latvia), for this habitus drawing
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By D.Telnov
Sex Male
Life Cycle Stage imago
View dorsal
Size 6,54 mm
Collection Naturhistorisches Museum Basel
Type Holotype
Collector O.Šauša
Copyright © 2006 Dmitry Telnov
Scientific Name Steropes hercules
Location Vietnam
Reference Telnov D. 2006. The First Record of Steropinae from the Oriental region, with the Description of a New Steropes from Vietnam (Coleoptera: Anthicidae). – Journal of the Zoological Society Wallacea 2: 63-66.
Creator Dmitry Paramonov
Acknowledgements Herewith I thank Dmitry Paramonov, excellent wildlife artist (Riga / Latvia), for this habitus drawing
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By D.Telnov
Sex Female
Life Cycle Stage imago
View dorsal
Size 8,65 mm
Collection Naturhistorisches Museum Basel
Type Paratype
Collector P.Pacholatko
Copyright © 2006 Dmitry Telnov
About This Page

Dmitry Telnov
The Entomological Society of Latvia

Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Dmitry Telnov at

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Telnov, Dmitry. 2011. Steropinae. Version 06 January 2011 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Steropinae/145025/2011.01.06 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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