The Oedemeridae are a globally distributed family of beetles belonging to the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. In appearance, they may resemble longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) or soldier beetles (Cantharidae). Typical members are slender, relatively soft-bodied beetles, usually 5–20 mm long, often with long, thread-like antennae and elytra that taper towards the rear. Some species have a distinctive metallic green, blue or bronze sheen, whilst others are black, brown or yellow and black in colour. A striking feature of some species is the males’ strongly swollen hind femora. Adults are typically found on flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar and contribute to pollination; in temperate zones they are diurnal, whilst in the tropics they are often nocturnal and are attracted to light. The larvae have a very different way of life: most develop in dead, damp and often fungus-decomposed wood, whilst some live in dry stems or the roots of herbaceous plants. A notable exception is *Nacerdes melanura*, whose larvae can cause damage to damp structural timber. The family is also of interest for its production of cantharidin, a defensive substance also found in the beetle family Meloidae.

Number of Species:

Family Card

Calopus serraticornis

 

Sparedrus testaceus

 

Ischnomera caerulea

 

Ischnomera cinerascens

 

Ischnomera cyanea

 

Ischnomera sanguinicollis

 

Chrysanthia geniculata

 

Chrysanthia viridissima

 

Ditylus laevis

 

Anogcodes fulvicollis

 

Anogcodes melanurus

 

Anogcodes ruficollis

 

Anogcodes rufiventris

 

Anogcodes seladonius

 

Anogcodes ustulatus

 

Nacerdes melanura

 

Nacerdes carniolica

 

Oedemera croceicollis

 

Oedemera femorata

 

Oedemera flavipes

 

Oedemera lurida

 

Oedemera monticola

 

Oedemera nobilis

 

Oedemera podagrariae

 

Oedemera pthysica

 

Oedemera subrobusta

 

Oedemera tristis

 

Oedemera virescens