Cleridae

Cleridae Temporal range: Middle Jurassic–Recent PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Some checkered beetles described in the mid-19th century
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Superfamily:	Cleroidea
Family:	Cleridae Latreille, 1802
Subfamilies
Clerinae Latreille, 1802 Enopliinae Gistel, 1856 (disputed) Epiphloeinae Gistel, 1856 (disputed) Hydnocerinae Spinola, 1844 Korynetinae Laporte, 1836 Tarsosteninae Jacquelin du Val, 1861 (disputed) Thaneroclerinae Chapin, 1921[verification needed] (but see text) Tillinae Leach, 1815 and see below

Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitats and feeding preferences.

Cleridae have many niches and feeding habits. Most genera are predaceous and feed on other beetles and larvae; however other genera are scavengers or pollen feeders. Clerids have elongated bodies with bristly hairs, are usually bright colored, and have variable antennae. Checkered beetles range in length between 3 and 24 millimetres (0.12 and 0.94 in). Cleridae can be identified based on their 5–5–5 tarsal formula, division of sternites, and the absence of a special type of vesicle. Female Cleridae lay between 28–42 eggs at a time predominately under the bark of trees. Larvae are predaceous and feed vigorously before pupation and subsequently emergence as adults.

Clerids have a minor significance in forensic entomology. Some species are occasionally found on carrion in the later dry stages of decay. Also, some species are pests (stored product entomology) and are found infesting various food products. Research efforts related to Cleridae have focused primarily on using certain species as biological controls. This is a very effective technique for controlling bark beetles due to the voracious appetite of many clerid species.