Clarification of the status of the genus names Leiodes Latreille 1796 (Coleoptera), Liodes von Heyden 1826 (Acari) and Neoliodes Berlese 1888 (Acari)

The genus name Liodes and the family name Liodidae have been the cause of much confusion in zoology. The genus name Liodes has been used in Acari, Lepidoptera, Opiliones, and Coleoptera, and has often been misused, misspelled, or misunderstood. This paper reviews the history of these names and the related names Leiodes and Neoliodes, and concludes that (1) the names Leiodes Latreille 1796 and Leiodidae Fleming 1821 are available for a genus and family of beetles; (2) the names Neoliodes Berlese 1888 and Neoliodidae Sellnick 1928 are available for a genus and family of mites; (3) the names Liodes and Liodidae are not available for any group of animals, and should not be used.