An Overview of Archostematan Beetles

Some years ago, I had the privilege of attending an entomology/forestry camp provided by the University of Kentucky near Jabez, KY. Aside from learning the "racist" system for distinguishing white vs. red oaks and collecting my first mantidfly (Dicromantispa sayi), I also happened upon a specimen of the beetle Tenomerga cinerea, a member of the Cupedidae. In North America, these are the most commonly encountered examples of the suborder Archostemata: which, despite being less diverse than most other beetle suborders, display enough variety to justify an overview.