Hylocharini
Jacquelin du Val, 1859
Hylocharini is a tribe of within the , Melasinae. The group was established by Jacquelin du Val in 1859. Members of this tribe are characterized by features of the and larval that distinguish them from other eucnemid tribes. The tribe is relatively small and poorly documented in published literature.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hylocharini: /ˌhaɪloʊˈkærɪnaɪ/
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Identification
Hylocharini can be distinguished from other tribes in Melasinae by combinations of characters including antennal structure, pronotal shape, and features of the mesosternal cavity. Specific diagnostic characters require examination of specimens and are best confirmed by comparison with material or authoritative .
Distribution
The tribe has been recorded from the Palearctic and Oriental regions. Specific country records are sparse due to limited taxonomic study and infrequent collection.
Ecological Role
and of are generally associated with decaying wood, where larvae are presumed to feed on fungal or decaying material. The specific ecological role of Hylocharini has not been separately documented.
Similar Taxa
More Details
Taxonomic history
The tribe was described by Pierre Nicolas Camille Jacquelin du Val in 1859 in his work ' des coleopteres d'Europe'. The genus is Hylocharis. The tribal concept has been maintained in modern of , though the included genera and have undergone revision.
Research status
Hylocharini is among the least studied tribes of . The iNaturalist observation count of 5 reflects extreme rarity in citizen science records, likely due to small size, cryptic habits, and difficulty of field identification rather than actual rarity. No comprehensive modern revision of the tribe exists.