Ptiliinae

Ptiliinae
Ptenidium pusillum from Die Käfer des Deutschen Reiches vol. 2 (1908)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Ptiliidae
Subfamily: Ptiliinae
Erichson, 1845
Tribes

Nanosellini
Ptiliini

Ptiliinae is the largest subfamily of feather-winged beetles (family Ptilidae). About 80% of the described genera of these very tiny beetles are contained herein; however, many more genera and species await description.

Like all members of their family, they are usually found in rotting organic material in a wide range of habitats. The clutch generally contains only a single egg, which is very large in comparison to the adult female, sometimes half as long as the beetle itself.