Dry bark beetles

Definition

A vernacular name for beetles of the family Bothrideridae, small predatory or parasitic beetles in the superfamily Coccinelloidea. The name refers to their occurrence in dry, decaying bark and wood rather than association with living phloem tissues. Both adults and larvae typically prey on or parasitize other insects—especially wood-boring beetle larvae and their pupae—within these habitats. The family was historically classified within Colydiidae but is now recognized as phylogenetically distinct.

Etymology

From 'dry' + 'bark' + 'beetles', referring to their habitat in desiccated bark and wood; distinguished from 'bark beetles' (Scolytinae) that colonize living or freshly dead phloem.

Example

Bothrideridae such as Bothriderus bipunctatus are frequently recovered from galleries of powderpost beetles (Bostrichidae) in seasoned timber, where their larvae feed as ectoparasitoids on host pupae.

Synonyms

• cocoon-forming beetles
• Bothrideridae

Related Terms

• Bothrideridae
• bark beetles
• Coccinelloidea
• Colydiidae
• ectoparasitoid
• saproxylic beetles
• wood-boring beetles

Usage Notes

The term 'dry bark beetles' is easily confused with 'bark beetles' (family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae), which are economically significant pests of living trees. Dry bark beetles occupy a different ecological niche—seasoned, desiccated wood rather than fresh phloem—and belong to a separate superfamily. Specialists generally prefer the family name Bothrideridae in formal contexts. The alternative common name 'cocoon-forming beetles' refers to the silken cocoons constructed by some species for pupation.