Minute Brown Scavenger Beetles

Latridiidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Coccinelloidea
Family: Latridiidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Latridiidae: /læˈtrɪdi.aɪdi/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Stereoma bilobatus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Cartodere quadrifoveolata by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Metophthalmus septemstriatus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Latridiidae, commonly called minute brown scavenger beetles or fungus beetles, comprises a diverse group of small beetles known for their ecological role as obligate fungal feeders. Most species thrive in damp environments where fungi are abundant, making them significant for nutrient recycling.

Physical Characteristics

Adult beetles are shades of brown and measure between 1.2 and 2 mm in length. The tarsal formula is 3-3-3, with each leg ending in a tarsus with three segments. The elytra are wider than the head and thorax, punctured by rows of small pits with a rough dorsal surface. Most species are unable to fly.

Identification Tips

The family can be identified by their small size, elongate-oval shape, and the tarsal formula of 3-3-3. The presence of eight to eleven segments in the antennae with the terminal segments forming a club is also indicative.

Habitat

Damp environments where fungi, molds, and mildews are present. They can be found under bark, in leaf litter, decaying plant material, and in ant and termite nests.

Distribution

Most diverse in temperate climates; numerous species are cosmopolitan, particularly those associated with stored products.

Diet

Obligate feeders on hyphae and spores of fungi, molds, and mildews.

Life Cycle

Details about the life cycle are not provided, but they are known to occur in damp places and are associated with fungal feeding.

Ecosystem Role

They play a role in the decomposition process by feeding on fungal tissues and contribute to nutrient recycling in their habitats.

Economic Impact

Some species have been linked to the deterioration of foodstuffs and hygiene issues in sensitive environments, such as hospitals.

Health Concerns

Species of the genus Dienerella have been associated with food contamination and hygiene concerns in healthcare settings by introducing mold spores.

Evolution

Numerous taxonomic changes have occurred over the last two decades, leading to confusion regarding the classification of genera within this family.

Misconceptions

Commonly misunderstood due to their size and less recognizable form.