Corylophidae

Definition

A family of minute beetles (Coleoptera) in the superfamily Coccinelloidea, commonly known as minute hooded beetles or minute fungus beetles. Members are typically 1–2 mm in length, with a distinctive hood-like pronotum that partly conceals the head from above. The family comprises approximately 18 genera and 120+ described species, most of which feed on microfungi (molds and mildews) in decaying plant matter, bark crevices, leaf litter, and similar moist microhabitats.

Etymology

From Greek korylophos 'helmet-bearer,' referring to the hood-like pronotum characteristic of these beetles.

Example

Corylophids such as Arthrolips species are frequently recovered in bark beetle emergence traps and Berlese samples from decaying hardwood logs, where they graze on fungal hyphae in the phloem–fungal interface.

Synonyms

• Orthoperidae (obsolete)

Related Terms

• Coccinelloidea
• Coleoptera
• mycophagy
• cryptic fauna
• microhabitat
• Berlese funnel

Usage Notes

The family was historically placed in Cucujoidea, but molecular phylogenetics now firmly supports placement in Coccinelloidea alongside Coccinellidae and related families. The obsolete synonym Orthoperidae appears in pre-1990 literature and should not be confused with Orthoptera. Identification to genus requires examination of subtle characters including antennal club structure and male genitalia; many species remain undescribed, particularly in tropical leaf litter.