Anthicidae (antlike flower beetles)

The antlike flower beetles (Anthi­cidae) are small beetles. Their body shape reminds the observer of ants. The speciose family (more than 3000 species in 100 genera) is distributed worldwide). In Germany 27 species have been recorded. The beetles are found in leaf litter, in hay, in reed, under bark or on the edges of ponds. Several species feed on dead blister beetles (e.g. genus Meloe) hence protecting themselves with toxic Cantharidine against predation.