Priasilphidae Explained

Priasilphidae is a family of beetles in the superfamily Cucujoidea. They have a Gondwanan distribution, with the three known genera Chileosilpha, Priasilpha and Priastichus being native to Chile, New Zealand and Tasmania respectively. Most species are flightless, lacking wings. Priasilphids inhabit decaying wood and moss in forest habitats. They are likely mycophagous, feeding on fungi.

Genera

These three genera belong to the family Priasilphidae:

• Chileosilpha Leschen, Lawrence & Ślipiński, 2005
• Priasilpha Broun, 1894
• Priastichus Crowson, 1973

Further reading

• Checklist of beetles (Coleoptera) of Canada and Alaska. 2013. Bouchard . P.. Bousquet . Y.. Davies . A.. Sikes . D.. ZooKeys. 360. 1–44. 1313-2989. 10.3897/zookeys.360.4742. 24363590. 3867111. free.
• Book: Check list of the Coleoptera of America, north of Mexico. 1873. Crotch . G.R.. Naturalists' Agency. 10.5962/bhl.title.38811. free. 9780665070778.
• Book: Classification of the Coleoptera of North America. 1861. LeConte . J.L.. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections. 3. 978-0665100550. 10.5962/bhl.title.38459. free.