Ochodaeidae

These beetles are small, ranging from 3–10 millimetres (0.12–0.39 in). Their bodies are elongate and convex, with black and brown colors including yellowish- and reddish-brown shades.

As of 2012, the biology and habits of Ochodaeidae beetles is still mostly unknown. Most types have been collected in sandy areas at night, while some of their species are active during the day.

Taxonomy

Ochodaeidae beetles belong to the infraorder Scarabaeiformia, which contains only one superfamily, the Scarabaeoidea. The most striking feature of the Scarabaeoidea are the ends of their antennae, that are divided into several lamellae, thus resembling a fan. Another distinguishing feature are their legs, that possess teeth and are adapted for digging.

Ochodaeidae is divided into two subfamilies containing five tribes and 15 genera:

• Subfamily Ochodaeinae Mulsant & Rey, 1871

• Tribe Enodognathini Scholtz, 1988

Enodognathus Benderitter, 1921

Odontochodaeus Paulian, 1976

• Tribe Ochodaeini Mulsant & Rey, 1871

Codocera Eschscholtz, 1818

Cucochodaeus Paulsen, 2007

Neochodaeus Nikolayev, 1995

Notochodaeus Nikolajev, 2005

Ochodaeus Dejean, 1821

Parochodaeus Nikolayev, 1995

Xenochodaeus Paulsen, 2007

• Subfamily Chaetocanthinae Scholtz in Scholtz, D'Hotman, Evans & Nel, 1988

• Tribe Chaetocanthini Scholtz in Scholtz, D'Hotman, Evans & Nel, 1988

Chaetocanthus Péringuey, 1901

Mioochodaeus Nikolajev, 1995

Namibiotalpa Scholtz & Evans, 1987

• Tribe Pseudochodaeini Scholtz, 1988

Pseudochodaeus Carlson & Richter, 1974

• Tribe Synochodaeini Scholtz, 1988

Synochodaeus Kolbe, 1907

Gauchodaeus Paulsen, 2012