The Silvanidae of Israel (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea)

Abstract

the silvanidae is a family comprising mainly small, subcortical, saproxylic, beetles with the more or less dorsoventrally flattened body. It is a family of high economic importance, as some of the species are pests of stored goods; some of them are distributed throughout the world, mainly by human activities. nine teen species of silvanidae in ten genera are hereby recorded from Israel. eleven of those are considered alien, of which four are established either in nature or indoor; eight species are either indigenous or have been introduced in the very remote past. seven species, Psammoecus bipunctatus, P. triguttatus, Pa rasilvanus fairemairei, Silvanus castaneus, S. inarmatus, S. ?mediocris and Uleiota planatus, are recorded from Israel for the first time. Airaphilus syriacus was recorded only once in 1913; its status is doubtful. A. abeillei may occur in Israel, although no material is available. twelve species are associated with stored products, although only three, Ahasverus advena, Oryzaephilus suri namensis and O. mercator, are of distinct economic importance; the rest are either rare or only occasionally intercepted on imported goods. An identification key for all genera and species is provided.