pattern e.g. Lichenophanes Lesne, 1899. Head generally not visible from above; recessed into the thorax and hypognathous, in some groups e.g. Lyctinae, prognathous and exposed from above. Pubescence variable; many glabrous to only very finely so but there are some spectacular exceptions e.g. Lichenophanes bicornis (Weber, 1801) or Xylomedes rufocoronata (Fairmaire, 1892) which has layers of very long and dense yellow hairs bordering the inside of the eyes. Eyes convex and protruding; oval or round, and usually small but sometimes relatively large e.g. in species of Scrobicia Lesne, 1901. Vertex and frons very variable, often strongly convex and sculptured, in Lyctinae almost flat, labrum transverse and small, partly covering the robust and curved mandibles which may be simply pointed or bifid. Palps small and slender, without expanded apical segments; maxillary palpi 4-segmented, labial palpi 3-segmented. Antennae inserted laterally in front of the eyes and over the base of the mandibles, beneath a variously expanded lateral margin, 10 or 11-segmented and straight, never geniculate as seen in many Scolytines, generally with 2 large basal segments, transverse intermediate segments and a 2-4 segmented club, the segments not fused as in Scolytines, club segments vary from quadrate and rounded to transverse, sometimes strongly so and, rarely, lamellate or flabellate e.g. in Euderia. Pronotum very variable, flattened and quadrate or nearly so in Lyctus etc., otherwise strongly convex and produced over the head, rounded anteriorly and with distinct posterior angles which are sometimes produced, roughly sculptured; rasp-like or toothed anteriorly, generally as far as or a little beyond the middle, in some with horns developed anteriorly e.g. in the Neotropical Apates fortis (LeConte, 1866), sometimes splendidly so e.g. in Bostrychoplites Lesne, 1899, an African genus of about 15 species. Generally without borders although these are variously developed, sometimes only towards the base, in Lyctinae and some Xyloperthini where they may be simple or denticulate. Prosternum relatively long in front of procoxal cavities that may be open or closed posteriorly, the process very variable from wide to narrow or absent. Mesosternum generally narrow and short, the coxal cavities round, contiguous or narrowly separated, metasternum broad and usually very long and flattened, the coxal cavities oval or transverse, usually almost touching but widely separated in Lyctus. Scutellum exposed and usually small; triangular to quadrate or oval. Elytra very variable; short, almost quadrate in e.g. Sinoxylon ceratoniae (Linnaeus, 1758), to elongate and sometimes very elongate, usually with prominent shoulders and coarse punctation which may be random, as in some Neoterius Lesne, 1899, or distinctly striate, many have longitudinal carinae or other dorsal sculpture, the apex is often convex and simply rounded e.g. in Dinoderus minutus (Fabricius, 1775) while in many there is a distinct apical declivity or concavity, often with lateral teeth or hooks. Sometimes they are extremely developed e.g. in some African Xylion Lesne, 1901 (Xyloperthini), here they are cylindrical and almost smooth; lacking striae and only finely punctured, and produced apically into a series of horns, the anterior of which is very long and incurved, hook-like and heavily sclerotized. Epipleura variously developed, generally narrow or obscure in the convex species, well-developed and often wide towards the base in Lyctus etc. Wings fully-developed in most species. Abdomen with 5 free ventrites or, rarely, 6 when the basal segment is exposed. Legs relatively long and usually slender, trocanters small and generally hidden, procoxae small and weakly projecting, meso- and metacoxae weakly projecting, if at all, trocanter attachment to the femora oblique or straight. Femora generally slender and unadorned, tibiae slender and without teeth, each with a single apical spur. Tarsi 5-segemented or rarely, in Psoa, 4-segmented, the segments slender and without lobes, the basal segment often very small.

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Fully-grown larvae are 3-20mm in length (up to 60mm in some tropical groups), crescent-shaped, glabrous or with a few scattered setae or, rarely, with dense, fine and short pubescence, and dull creamy to white. Head elongate and flattened, or globular, usually retracted into the thorax, and with 2- or 3-segmented antennae. Clypeus and labrum distinct, mandibles symmetrical, strongly curved and with or without an internal tooth. Maxillary palpi 2- or 3-segmented, labial palpi 1- or 2-segmented. Thorax enlarged, meso- and metathorax sometimes with lateral folds, in Bostrichinae the prothorax has an oblique longitudinal structure within the tissue above the spiracle. Legs 5-segmented. Abdomen 10-segmented, each with up to 3 lateral folds, apical segments enlarged but not modified.