Trichopsenius

Members of Trichopsenius can be distinguished from other aleocharine genera by their termitophilous associations and presumably corresponding morphological adaptations for myrmecophily/termitophily, though specific diagnostic characters require examination of type material. The genus belongs to the tribe Trichopseniini, which contains other termitophilous genera. Adults are small rove beetles with the typical staphylinid body plan: shortened elytra exposing most of the abdomen.

Strictly associated with nests of Reticulitermes termites. The Chinese species was collected from a dead, flattened pine tree containing an active termite nest.

Recorded from China (Guizhou Province, Huaxi District, Guiyang City) and presumably present in other regions where Reticulitermes termites occur, though historical records are primarily from North America.

Adults have been collected in November; broader seasonal patterns are unknown.

• Reticulitermes sp. - termitophileobligate symbiont; all known members of the genus associated with this termite genus

Exhibits obvious communication with host termites, including antennal touching. Laboratory observations showed no attack behavior from host termites toward the beetles, indicating successful chemical or behavioral integration into the colony.

Termitophile—an obligate symbiont living within termite colonies. The nature of the relationship (whether commensal, mutualistic, or parasitic) has not been determined.

• Other Trichopseniini generaShare termitophilous habits and morphological adaptations for life with termites; distinguished by specific structural characters and host associations
• General AleocharinaeMost aleocharines are free-living predators or fungivores; Trichopsenius is distinguished by obligate termite association and corresponding behavioral and presumably chemical adaptations

• termitophile
• symbiosis
• termite-associated
• Reticulitermes
• Staphylinidae
• Aleocharinae
• Trichopseniini
• China
• Guizhou
• new species
• 2023

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Discovery of the termitophilous genus Trichopsenius Horn, 1877 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) from China with description of a new species.