Macratriinae

Introduction

The Macratriinae are distributed all over the World but strictly avoid temperate regions and are most diverse in the tropics. Three recent and two fossil genera are known, of them Macratria Newman, 1838 is the largest and cosmopolitan one, while other genera are only represented by 1-2 species and have restricted distribution. In total, more than 200 species belong to this subfamily.

Characteristics

The main characters of the Macratriinae are: Frontoclypeal suture absent, frons gradually declivous. Mandibles long, bidentate at apex. Neck smooth and narrow, about 1/4 or less of maximum head width. Pronotum with distinct anterior collar which is of equal or almost equal width dorsally and ventrally. Antebasal sulcus well developed. Elytra elongate, densely pubescent and often punctured in rows. Mesosternum fused with mesepisterna, rarely triangular and free. Metacoxae narrowly separated by intercoxal projection. Tibial spurs long, distinct, paired. Sternite IX is V-shaped. Male genitalia with phallobase and separate parameres; penis free.

The genus Macratria is characterized by elytra having distinct longitudinal sulci along the lateral margin.

Genus Telesinus Fairmaire, 1903 was placed in Macratriinae by Chandler (2010) but clearly belongs to Eurygeniinae as defined by Telnov (2009).

Classification

Note: all taxa below are listed alphabetically.

• Camelomorpha Kirejtshuk, Azar, Telnov, 2008 - fossil from Lebanese amber (monotypic genus)
  
• Macratria Newman, 1838 - cosmopolitan
  
• Protomacratria Abdullah, 1964 - fossil from Baltic amber 
  
• Salimuzzamania Abdullah, 1968 - Central America (monotypic genus)
  
• Thambospasta Werner, 1974 - USA (monotypic genus)
  

Biology and Ecology

Macratriinae have been found in various habitats, but seem to prefer tropical rainforests up to 3000 m elevation. Most Macratria are diurnal animals but they actively fly to light traps.

Representatives of Macratria are often very common on riparian vegetation, actively running on leaves or flying around. They are recorded from various species of herbs and shrubs, for example in Wallacea and on new Guinea - Areca sp. (Arecaceae), Arpinia sp. (Zingiberaceae), Ficus spp. (Moraceae), Leea sp. (Vitaceae), Piper spp. (Piperaceae), Theobroma cacao (Malvaceae), in New Zealand - Blechnum spp., Carex spp., Cyperus spp., Scirpus spp.) or Dysoxylum spp., Kunzea spp., Phyllocladus spp.

The imago of this group seems to be polyphagous.

References

Chandler D.S. 2010. 11.26. Anthicidae Latreille, 1819: 729-741. In: Leschen R.A.B., Beutel R.G., Lawrence J.F. (eds) Coleoptera, Beetles. Volume 2: Morphology and Systematics (Elateroidea, Bostrichiformia, Cucujiformia partim). Arthropoda Insecta. Handbook of Zoology. De Gruyter, Berlin & New York.

Telnov D. 2009. Review of the Genus Telesinus Fairmaire, 1903, with a General Discussion on African Eurygeniinae (Coleoptera: Anthicidae). – Mitteilungen des Internationalen Entomologischen Vereins e.V. 34, No. 3/4: 93-113.