In preparing this account of the beetle families of British Columbia, we have been heavily dependent on the descriptions in the recent two-volume work on American Beetles (Arnett et al. 2001, 2002). We have followed the family classification and the order of families given in these volumes.
The key to families is adapted from that presented by M.A. Ivie in Arnett et al. (2002). We have tried to use terms that are user-friendly and more easily understood by non-entomologists. For example, we use fore, middle and hind coxae instead of procoxa, mesocoxa and metacoxa. We also use the term "segment" for the divisions of the antennae, legs and palps, although we realize that this is morphologically incorrect. Nevertheless, in many cases we have accepted standard entomological terms in the keys and descriptions: these are given in the glossary that is appended.
In the key to families we have, with few exceptions, only included the families known to occur in British Columbia. In this and the taxa included in the descriptions, we have been guided by those listed in Hatch (1953-1971) and Bousquet (1991). We realize that both of these publications are quite dated, and no doubt many more taxa actually occur in the province. Hence, it is to be expected that revisions will be needed, as soon as an update to Bousquet (1991) is completed.
Finally, we have included only an outline drawing of one species in each family. This may not represent the form of all the taxa included, especially in the larger families. Illustrations in Arnett (1973), Arnett et al. (2001, 2002), Hatch (1953-1971) and White (1983) will help give a better idea of the diversity in this very large Order of insects in this region of Canada.
Finally, when there is a comprehensive monograph for a beetle family in Canada, we have indicated this at appropriate places in the text.
It should be noted that this is part of a larger project, and will be eventually revised and modified to fit in with other parts of the large work on the Insect Families of British Columbia.
References
Arnett, R.H. Jr., 1973. Beetles of the United States. A manual for identification. American Entomological Institute, Ann Arbor, MI. 1112 pp.
Arnett, R.H. Jr. and Thomas, M.C. 2001. Volume 1. American Beetles. Archostemata, Myxophaga, Adephaga, Polyphaga: Staphyliniformia. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 443 pp.
Arnett, R.H. Jr., Thomas, M.C., Skelley, P.E. and Frank, J.H. (Eds.) 2002. Volume 2. American Beetles. Polyphaga: Scarabaeoidea through Curculionoidea. Boca Raton, Fl. 861 pp.
Bousquet, Y. (Ed.). 1991. Checklist of Beetles of Canada and Alaska. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, ON. Publication 1861/E: 430 pp.
Hatch, M.H. 1953-1971. The Beetles of the Pacific Northwest. Parts I-V. University of Washington Publications in Biology. Vol. 16.
White, R.E. 1983. A field guide to the beetles of North America. The Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston 368 pp.