Scaphisoma pusillum

Scaphisoma pusillum is a minute beetle, typically under 3 mm in length. Members of Scaphisoma can be distinguished from other Staphylinidae by their compact, oval body form with strongly convex dorsal surface, short elytra that leave most of the abdomen exposed, and shiny, often metallic appearance. The genus Scaphisoma is characterized by 3-segmented antennal clubs and a distinctive body shape. Species-level identification requires examination of genitalia and other fine morphological details.

Recorded from the eastern and central United States: Arizona, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Members of Scaphidiinae are generally associated with fungal fruiting bodies, where they feed on spores and hyphae. They contribute to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems through their role in fungal decomposition.

• ScaphisomaOther species in the genus Scaphisoma share the compact, convex body form and shiny appearance. Differentiation to species level requires detailed examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological characters.
• Other StaphylinidaeDistinguished from most other rove beetles by the strongly convex, almost hemispherical body shape and short elytra that expose most of the flexible abdomen.

• Coleoptera
• Staphylinidae
• Scaphidiinae
• North America
• fungus beetle

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshopper Collections and Survey