Cryptophagus acutangulus

Adults are small beetles with the characteristic compact, somewhat oval body form typical of Cryptophagidae. The species name 'acutangulus' refers to acute-angled features of the body outline or pronotum. Accurate identification to species level requires examination of genitalic characters and comparison with related Cryptophagus species; the larvae and pupae were first described in 1956 and can be distinguished from other cryptophagid larvae by detailed morphological features.

Found in decaying plant matter including haystacks, under loose bark, and in decaying wood of both deciduous and coniferous trees. Occurs in sporophores of wood-decay fungi, warehouses, vegetable litter, mouldy plant material, and flowers. Also recorded from carrion in caves. Partially synanthropic; found in urban settings near compost heaps and pigeon nests. Adults have been collected by beating blossoming trees.

Nearly cosmopolitan. Europe: recorded from 31 countries including British Isles, Portugal to Japan; widespread but uncommon across England and Wales, with old records from Scotland and known from Ireland; much less abundant in southern Europe than in temperate and boreal zones. Africa: North Africa (Egypt, Morocco). Asia: Arabian Peninsula, northern and northeastern China, Central Asian countries, Korean Peninsula, Japan, Pakistan, western and eastern Siberia to Russian Far East. North and South America: present. Not known from Australia.

Adults reported active year-round in the British Isles.

Exclusively mycophagous. Feeds readily on a wide variety of fungi; thrives when fed exclusively on Penicillium conidia. Larvae feed exclusively on fungal spores and hyphae. Recorded on sporophores of wood-decay fungi including Pleurotus spp., Cerioporus squamosus, Penicillus spp., and Trichoderma spp. Rarely ingests non-fungal foods.

• Pleurotus spp. - fungal food sourceWood-decay fungus, sporophores consumed
• Cerioporus squamosus - fungal food sourceWood-decay fungus, sporophores consumed
• Penicillium spp. - fungal food sourceThrives on conidia; enhanced germination after gut passage
• Trichoderma spp. - fungal food sourceFungal food source

Complete metamorphosis with described stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Larvae and pupae described for the first time in 1956. Larvae and adults occupy the same habitats. Developmental timing not specified in available sources.

Capable of internal mechanical and external transmission of fungal spores. Approximately 15% of Penicillium conidia germinate after passage through the alimentary canal, with these conidia showing enhanced germination rates. Eurytopic, tolerating diverse environmental conditions. Adults found on flowers and collected by beating blossoming trees.

Fungal spore disperser through internal mechanical and external transmission. Contributes to nutrient cycling in rotting vegetation and wood decay systems. The enhanced germination of Penicillium conidia after gut passage suggests a mutualistic or facilitative relationship with certain fungi.

Partially synanthropic, occasionally found in warehouses and urban environments near compost heaps. No documented economic importance as pest or beneficial species. Genome sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project, with assembly of 177.30 Mb and 83.62% scaffolded into 18 chromosomal pseudomolecules.

• Other Cryptophagus speciesRequire genitalic examination for accurate separation; C. acutangulus distinguished by acute-angled body features and specific morphological details of larvae and pupae
• Other CryptophagidaeFamily members share small size, compact form, and mycophagous habits; identification to genus and species requires specialist examination

• mycophagous
• fungus-feeding
• spore dispersal
• synanthropic
• cosmopolitan
• decomposer

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Magodo – giant twig wilter | Beetles In The Bush
• Notes on the Biology and immature Stages of Cryptophagus acutangulus, Gyll. (Col., Cryptophagidae)
• The genome sequence of the acute-angled fungus beetle, Cryptophagus acutangulus Gyllenhal, 1827.