Ptiliinae is the largest

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

of feather-winged beetles ( family Ptilidae). About 80% of the described

genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...

of these very tiny beetles are contained herein; however, many more genera and species await description. Like all members of their family, they are usually found in rotting organic material in a wide range of habitats. The

clutch A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission, especially from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shafts or line shafts). ...

generally contains only a single egg, which is very large in comparison to the adult female, sometimes half as long as the beetle itself.

Selected genera

Ptiliidae Beetle subfamilies {{Ptiliidae-stub