Teodoliidid

Teodoliidid, also known as the Theodoliidae, are a family of small, often brightly colored beetles belonging to the order Coleoptera. They are found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, with a significant number of species occurring in Australia. The family is named after the genus Theodolium, which was originally described by the French entomologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.

Theodoliidid beetles are characterized by their small size, typically ranging from 1 to 5 millimeters in length. They have a distinctive body shape, with a broad, flattened head and a long, slender thorax. Their elytra, or wing cases, are often brightly colored, with patterns that can vary widely among species. This coloration is thought to serve as a form of warning to predators, a phenomenon known as aposematism.

The diet of theodoliidids is primarily herbivorous, with many species feeding on decaying plant material. Some species are known to feed on fungi, while others may be predatory, feeding on smaller insects. The family is diverse, with over 100 described species, and new species are still being discovered.

Theodoliidids play an important role in their ecosystems, serving as both prey and predators. Their small size and often cryptic coloration make them difficult to detect, but their presence can be inferred from the damage they cause to plant material and the presence of their larvae. Despite their small size, theodoliidids are an important part of the biodiversity of the regions in which they occur.