Family: Tenebrionidae (darkling beetles, toktokkies and others)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Arthopoda > Mandibulata > Atelocerata > Panhexapoda > Hexapoda > Insecta (insects) > Dicondyla > Pterygota > Metapterygota > Neoptera > Eumetabola > Holometabola > Coleoptera (beetles) > Polyphaga > Superfamily: Cucujoidea

This is a large and diverse family of beetles. They are mostly black and variably shaped - bulbous, elongate, flat and can be smooth, shiny, dull or ridged and sculptured. They are primarily ground scavengers and many have no hind wings and are flightless. They are widely distributed, especially in arid areas.

Some subfamilies from southern Africa

Page by Margie Cochrane