Wing Reduction

Reduction of the flight wings is common among the endemic Hawaiian Nitidulidae. While reduction of flight wings is a common feature of insular island insect faunas worldwide, it is almost unknown in the family Nitidulidae.

The genera Gonioryctus, Nesapterus, Apetinus, Cyrtostolus, and Apetasimus all have species that have reduced flight wings.

All of the wingless species are associated with leaf litter or other highly decayed plant material.  All of the flightless species have a restricted distribution, with many found on a single ridge or flank of a volcano.  There lack of dispersal ability puts these species at special risk, with a number presumed extinct.