Carayonemidae

Common name

Carayonemids

Field characters

Unknown except that they occur in leaf litter and mossy areas; possibly in moist environments.

Validation characters

Abdominal and thoracic spiracles dorsal and projecting from derm; femur and trochanter fused; dorsal setae unusually ornate; enlarged seta at apex of antenna; protruding anal lobes.

Notes

This family was only recently discovered and has been collected primarily in Berlese funnels. It seems to be most closely related to the Ortheziidae and is thought to be adapted to semiaquatic habitats. Carayonemidae Richard was first used as a family by Richard (1986).

Distribution

Carayonemids are known from the Neotropical area only where there are 4 monotypic genera. Find a list of species from the Neotropical region.

Hosts

This unusual group of scales has primarily been collected using Berlese funnels and resides in leaf litter and mossy areas.

Life history

Nothing is known about the biology of these insects although 1 species has 4 instars in the female.

Important references

Kozár and Konczné Benedicty 2000a; Richard 1986.

Diversity

Click here for a check list of all carayonemid genera and species.