Anthicidae are small to medium-sized beetles of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, which, with their slender bodies, distinctly narrowed front part of the thorax and long limbs, often strikingly resemble ants – a phenomenon known as myrmecomorphism. Most species live on the soil surface, in leaf litter, plant debris, on sandy and gravelly riverbanks, or in dry, open habitats. Adults are predominantly omnivorous and feed on detritus, fungi, pollen and small invertebrates. Some species also seek out dead click beetles and rove beetles, from which they acquire the toxic cantharidin as protection against predators. The Czech fauna is characterised primarily by species associated with sandy areas, river alluvial deposits, steppes and salt marshes. Some species are of interest as natural enemies of insect pests, as they destroy their eggs or larvae.

Number of Species:

Family Card

Anthicus antherinus

 

Anthicus ater

 

Anthicus axillaris

 

Anthicus bimaculatus

 

Anthicus flavipes

 

Anthicus luteicornis

 

Anthicus schmidtii

 

Anthicus sellatus

 

Cordicomus gracilis

 

Cyclodinus humilis

 

Endomia tenuicollis

 

Hirticomus hispidus

 

Hirticomus quadriguttatus

 

Omonadus bifasciatus

 

Omonadus floralis

 

Omonadus formicarius

 

Stricticomus tobias

 

Stricticomus transversalis

 

Anthelephila pedestris

 

Microhoria nectarina

 

Microhoria unicolor

 

Mecynotarsus serricornis

 

Notoxus appendicinus

 

Notoxus brachycerus

 

Notoxus monoceros

 

Notoxus trifasciatus