eucnemidines

Eucnemidines are a group of beetles within the family Eucnemidae, commonly known as false click beetles. The exact taxonomic rank of Eucnemidines varies among classifications, with some authorities treating it as the subfamily Eucneminae and others recognizing it as the tribe Eucnemidini within Eucneminae. In all schemes, they represent a major lineage within Eucnemidae.

Members are generally elongated beetles with hardened wing covers and a slender thorax, often dark in color and sometimes with metallic or iridescent tones. Adults are typically nocturnal and attracted to light, and they are commonly found in forest habitats, under bark, or within leaf litter.

Ecology and life history of eucnemidines are tied to decaying wood. Larvae are usually saproxylic, developing in decaying wood, under bark, or in fungal fruiting bodies. The larval stage can last one to several years, depending on species and environmental conditions, after which they pupate and emerge as adults. Adults may feed on pollen, nectar, or detritus, with feeding habits varying among species.

Distribution and significance: Eucnemidines occur worldwide, with greatest diversity in temperate and tropical forests where dead wood is plentiful. They contribute to woodland ecosystems through wood decomposition and nutrient cycling, and their presence can serve as an indicator of suitable saproxylic habitat. They are generally not regarded as major agricultural pests.

Taxonomic note: The classification of Eucnemidines is complex and contested, so different sources may differ on the exact rank and the number of genera included. For more detail, consult current taxonomic treatments of Eucnemidae and related Elateroidea.