Bark-beetle-predator
Guides
Aulonium
Aulonium is a genus of cylindrical bark beetles in the family Zopheridae, subfamily Colydiinae. Members are predators of other bark beetles and have been studied for their potential role in biological control. The genus contains approximately 17 described species distributed across multiple continents. At least one species, Aulonium ruficorne, has been documented as a specialized predator within bark beetle galleries.
Enoclerus bimaculatus
two-spotted checkered beetle
Enoclerus bimaculatus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, found in North America. The species is characterized by two distinct spots on the elytra. As a member of the genus Enoclerus—the largest genus in the Cleridae family in North America north of Mexico—this beetle is a predator of other woodboring beetles, particularly bark beetles in the weevil subfamily Scolytinae. The species was first described by Skinner in 1905.
Enoclerus moestus
Enoclerus moestus is a checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, found in Central America and North America. The species is a predator associated with freshly cut pine logs and dead wood, where it hunts bark beetles and other small insects. Adults are active at logging sites and have been observed alongside other Enoclerus species including E. lecontei and E. sphegeus.
Medetera bistriata
Medetera bistriata is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. Adults are commonly observed on tree trunks in pine forests, where they adopt a characteristic tiptoe posture. The larvae are specialized predators of bark beetles, particularly species in the genera Dendroctonus and Ips. The species is recognized as an important biological control agent of the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis).
Nemozoma
Nemozoma is a genus of beetles in the family Trogossitidae, historically spelled as Nemosoma. The genus contains species distributed across Europe, North America, and South America. Nemozoma elongatum in Central Europe is a documented predator of bark beetles, particularly Pityogenes chalcographus and Taphrorychus bicolor. Some species exhibit morphological specializations including shortened elytra and cranial projections.
Platysoma gracile
clown beetle
Platysoma gracile is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by LeConte in 1844. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and the eastern United States (New Hampshire to Oklahoma and South Carolina). Like other histerid beetles, it is a small predatory species that lives under bark.
Platysoma parallelum
clown beetle
Platysoma parallelum is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is found in North America, with records from multiple U.S. states. Like other members of the genus Platysoma, it is likely associated with decaying wood and bark habitats where it preys on other insects.
Thanasimus undatulus
Wavy Checkered Beetle
Thanasimus undatulus is a species of checkered beetle (family Cleridae) known as the Wavy Checkered Beetle. It is a documented predator of bark beetles, specifically the spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis). The species responds to synthetic pheromones used by its prey, particularly frontalin. It occurs in North America and Central America.