Histeridae

Histeridae is a family of beetles commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles. There are more than 410 genera and 4,800 described species in Histeridae worldwide, with more than 500 species in North America. They can be identified by their shortened elytra, which leave two tergites exposed, and also by their elbowed antennae with clubbed ends. These predatory feeders are most active at night and will fake death if threatened. Hister beetles occupy almost any kind of niche throughout the world. They have also been useful for estimation of time of death during forensic investigations. Also, certain species are used for controlling houseflies and livestock pests that infest dung.

==Etymology== Histeridae was first named by Leonard Gyllenhaal. Histeridae has two common names, the clown beetle and the hister beetle. There have been several theories which explain the origin of these names. One theory for "hister" comes from the work of Juvenal, a Roman poet. Juvenal used the word "hister" to mean a dirty, lowly being. Another theory for the origin of this beetle's name stems from the fact that in Latin, "hister" means actor, and these beetles play dead when disturbed. ==Characteristics==