The Phalacridae are a family of beetles commonly called the shining flower beetles, They are often found in composite flowers. They are oval-shaped, usually tan, and about 2 mm in length.[1] Most species feed on fungus, although a number feed on flower heads.[2]
Worldwide there are about 638 species in 52 genera.[3] The oldest possible record of the family is a specimen from Spanish amber, dating to the Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous.[4]
^Borror, Donald J.; Triplehorn, Charles A.; Johnson, Norman F (1989). An Introduction to the Study of Insects (6th ed.). Fort Worth, Texas: Saunders College. p. 800. ISBN0-03-025397-7.
^Lawrence, John F.; Gimmel, Matthew L.; Steiner, Warren E. (2010-12-31), Kükenthal, Willy; Leschen, Richard A.B.; Beutel, Rolf G.; Lawrence, John F. (eds.), "10.20. Phalacridae Leach, 1815", Coleoptera, Beetles, Volume 2, Morphology and Systematics (Elateroidea, Bostrichiformia, Cucujiformia partim), DE GRUYTER, pp. 368–374, doi:10.1515/9783110911213.368, ISBN978-3-11-019075-5, retrieved 2022-10-02