Archeocrypticidae

Associated with plant litter and fungal substrates, including mushrooms and decomposing organic matter. Often found in forest floor environments where saprophytic fungi occur.

Pantropical distribution with highest diversity in tropical regions. Approximately 20 species occur in Australia across seven genera: Enneboeus, Australenneboeus, Gondwanenneboeus, Archeocrypticus, Falsoplatydema, Nothenneboeus, Sivacrypticus, and Wattianus. Enneboeus caseyi recorded from American South, Central America, and Mexico. Largely absent from Palearctic and Nearctic regions.

Saprophagous; adults and larvae feed on decaying organic matter and fungal material.

Decomposer; contributes to nutrient cycling through consumption of fungal material and plant litter.

• ErotylidaeBoth families are commonly called fungus beetles and occur on fungal substrates; Erotylidae are known as pleasing fungus beetles and typically have more vivid coloration.
• EndomychidaeBoth are fungus-associated beetle families; Endomychidae are known as handsome fungus beetles and differ in morphological details.
• MycetophagidaeBoth families inhabit fungal environments; Mycetophagidae are known as hairy fungus beetles and differ in setation and body form.
• CryptophagidaeBoth occur on fungi; Cryptophagidae are known as silken fungus beetles and differ in size and habitat preferences.
• TetratomidaeBoth associated with fungi; Tetratomidae are polypore fungus beetles typically linked to woody bracket fungi rather than leaf litter.
• CiidaeBoth are fungus beetles; Ciidae are minute tree-fungus beetles specialized for boring into woody fungi.

• beetles
• fungus beetles
• saprophagous
• decomposers
• pantropical
• litter fauna

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Bug Eric: Fungus Party-y-y!
• Bug Eric: 2022
• Systematic Placement and Distribution of Uloporus ovalis Casey (Coleoptera: Heteromera: Archeocrypticidae)