Arimodoki - ant-like flower beetles

A general term for insects in the family Anthicidae of the order Coleoptera in the class Insecta. Distributed worldwide, approximately 2,000 species are known, with around 50 recorded in Japan. Many of them have a small, round head, thin neck, oval prothorax, and a somewhat wide posterior body, and at first glance appear similar to ants, but there are also species that are long and thin with parallel sides. Some species have a horn (protrusion) that extends from the front of the prothorax to the top of their head, and are therefore also called unicorn insects. They are often found walking on the ground or sand, but some live on the leaves of plants, dead trees, and come to flowers. The larvae are said to live in fallen leaves and humus soil, and some are carnivorous.

[Takehiko Nakane]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

昆虫綱甲虫目アリモドキ科Anthicidaeの昆虫の総称。広く世界各地に分布し、およそ2000種が知られ、日本にも50種ほど記録されている。小形で頭が丸くて首が細く、前胸が卵形、後体部がやや幅広く、一見アリに似た外見をもつものが多いが、細長くて両側が平行した種もある。また、一部の種類は前胸背の前部から頭の上に伸びる角(つの)（突起）をもつものがあるので、一角虫(いっかくちゅう)ともよばれる。地表や砂上を歩いていることが多いが、草木の葉上、枯れ木にいるもの、花にくるものもある。幼虫は落ち葉や腐植土中などにすむといわれ、一部は肉食性であるという。

［中根猛彦］

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