| Omaliinae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Acidota subcarinata | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Staphyliniformia |
| Family: | Staphylinidae |
| Subfamily: | Omaliinae MacLeay, 1825 |
TheOmaliinae are a subfamily of theStaphylinidae, rove beetles.[1]
Typical adults are 1.5 to 6 mm long, somewhat broader in shape than are most Staphylinidae, with somewhat longerelytra (without serial punctures), the head with a broad neck, theantennae which are only slightly broader at the apex, andtarsi of five articles. In almost all genera is a pair ofocelli near the base of the head, and in a few, the elytra cover the entire abdomen. The maxillary mala of larvae are strap-shaped, but not as long as in theProteininae, and themandible lacks aprostheca.
Adults and larvae occur in leaf litter, decaying fruits, moss, and under bark of dead trees. Adults of several species and larvae of a few occur in flowers. Adults and larvae of many genera and species are believed to be predatory (they feed on freshly killed small insects), though a few seem to be phytophagous (they damage flowers) or saprophagous (they feed on decaying fruits).
The Omaliinae subfamily is large (comprising over 100 genera), and is divided into these seventribes:
In North America, 55 genera and more than 200 species are found.
