GENERAL FAMILIES / NOVEL BEETLES

The second part of the collection includes examples of the many other families that belong to the Order Coleoptera.

Examples of these other families are:

Elateridae (Click beetles)
Lucanidae (Stag beetles)
Pyrochroidae
Scarabaeidae (Dung beetles and Rhinoceros beetles)
Large Cerambycids

Family Elateridae (Click beetles)

Generally elongated and named click beetles for their ability to flick themselves into the air and right themselves when they fall on their backs. They achieve this by a mechanism between their protothorax and mesothorax.

Alaus parreysii	Elater sp.

Family Lucanidae (Stag beetles)

Stag beetles get their name from the large antler-like mandibles on the male. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced: females have much smaller mandibles. These beetles are becoming increasingly rare.

Lucanus ceruus male	Lucanus ceruus female

Family Pyrochroidae (Cardinal beetles)

Cardinal beetles live under bark and are predaceous, eating other insects or each other.

Pyrochroa coccinea

Family Scarabaeidae (Dung beetles and Rhinoceros beetles)

Geotrupes stercorarius (Dung beetle)	Oryctes rhinoceros (Rhinoceros beetle)

Large Cerambycids

These are the largest beetles in the collection. Their size and beauty have made them popular with collectors, they are now considered rare.

Callipogon barbatus from Mexico showing prominent mandibles covered with thick pile.	Macrodontia cervicornis from Brazil with patterned elytra for camouflage.