Beetles
Guides
Limnichidae
Minute Marsh-loving Beetles
Limnichidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Byrrhoidea, comprising at least 30 genera and 350 described species. The family exhibits considerable ecological diversity: while many species inhabit water-adjacent habitats such as riparian zones and coastal areas, others are fully terrestrial in leaf litter or arboreal environments. The subfamily Hyphalinae is uniquely specialized for intertidal marine habitats, with larvae capable of activity in seawater—a rarity among beetles. The oldest known fossils date to the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.
Lionothus
Lionothus is a genus of small beetles in the family Leiodidae, established by W.J. Brown in 1937. Members belong to the tribe Leiodini within the subfamily Leiodinae. The genus is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records available.
Litochropus
Litochropus is a genus of small beetles in the family Phalacridae, established by Casey in 1890. Members of this genus are among the least studied phalacrid beetles, with very few documented observations. The genus is characterized by minute body size and association with fungal habitats. As with other phalacrids, these beetles likely inhabit decaying plant matter and fungal fruiting bodies, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Macronaemia
Macronaemia is a genus of lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) containing three described species. The genus was established by Casey in 1899 and was long considered monotypic until additional species were recognized. It belongs to the diverse lady beetle radiation but remains relatively poorly documented compared to more familiar genera such as Coccinella or Harmonia.
Macropogon
Macropogon is a genus of soft-bodied plant beetles in the family Artematopodidae, established by Victor Motschulsky in 1845. The genus contains at least three accepted species, with additional species listed in some sources. Members are classified within the superfamily Elateroidea and are characterized by their soft body structure relative to other beetles.
Mauroniscidae
Mauroniscidae is a small family of cleroid beetles containing approximately 30 described species across five or six genera. The family was erected by Majer in 1995, having been previously classified as part of Melyridae. All known species are restricted to the Americas. Biological details remain largely unknown due to limited study.
Mecomycter
Mecomycter is a genus of beetles in the family Mauroniscidae, historically placed in Melyridae. The genus contains three described species found in western North America. Species were described between 1882 and 1997.
Meronera
Meronera is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Sharp in 1887. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America and Europe. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Aleocharinae, one of the largest groups within rove beetles.
Mycterus
palm and flower beetles
Mycterus is a genus of beetles in the family Mycteridae, commonly referred to as palm and flower beetles. The genus contains approximately seven described species distributed in North America. Species in this genus are associated with palms and flowers, though specific ecological relationships remain incompletely documented. The genus was established by Clairville in 1798.
Myxophaga
Minute Bog and Skiff Beetles
Myxophaga is a small suborder of Coleoptera comprising approximately 65 described species across four extant families: Lepiceridae, Hydroscaphidae, Sphaeriusidae, and Torridincolidae. These beetles are among the smallest in the order, ranging from small to minute in size. All members are aquatic or semiaquatic, with many species inhabiting hygropetric environments—thin water films on rock surfaces in running water. The suborder is characterized by distinctive morphological features including clubbed antennae with fewer than nine segments, open mesocoxal cavities, and apically rolled hind wings in resting position.
Nematodes
Nematodes False Click Beetles
Nematodes is a genus of false click beetles in the family Eucnemidae, tribe Nematodini. These beetles are part of the Elateriformia superfamily within the order Coleoptera. The genus name 'Nematodes' has been historically confused with nematode worms (phylum Nematoda), but refers here to a distinct group of insects. Members of this genus are characterized by their placement within the Eucnemidae, a family commonly known as false click beetles due to their resemblance to click beetles (Elateridae) while lacking the prosternal process that enables the clicking mechanism.
Neolitochrus
Neolitochrus is a genus of beetles in the family Phalacridae, established by Gimmel in 2013. The genus belongs to the order Coleoptera and is currently classified with a doubtful taxonomic status in some databases. It is represented by a small number of observations, with 52 records documented on iNaturalist. Little is known about the specific biology or ecology of this genus.
Nipponoserica
May beetles, junebugs
Nipponoserica is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as May beetles or junebugs. The genus was established by Nomura in 1973 and contains more than 20 described species. A 2022 taxonomic revision described one new species, Nipponoserica daqiao, from China and adjacent areas. The genus belongs to the tribe Sericini within the subfamily Sericinae.
Nitidulidae
sap beetles, sap-feeding beetles, picnic beetles
Nitidulidae is a family of small beetles commonly known as sap beetles or picnic beetles, with approximately 4,500 described species worldwide and 173 species in North America. Members exhibit highly variable feeding habits, ranging from sap-feeding to scavenging on carrion, fermenting fruits, fungi, and stored products. Several species are economically significant as agricultural pests, particularly in tree nut crops and honey bee colonies. The family has gained recent attention as vectors of the oak wilt pathogen (Bretziella fagacearum), with beetles transmitting fungal spores from infected to healthy oak trees. Some species have been successfully deployed in bioconversion systems to recycle agricultural waste.
Nomotettix cristatus
crested pygmy grasshopper, crested grouse locust, northern crested grouse locust
Nomotettix cristatus is a small pygmy grasshopper in the family Tetrigidae, commonly known as the crested pygmy grasshopper or crested grouse locust. It is one of approximately 35 Nearctic species of Tetrigidae. The species exhibits three recognized subspecies with distinct geographic distributions across North America. Like other members of its family, it is characterized by an elongated pronotum that extends over the abdomen, a trait distinguishing pygmy grasshoppers from typical grasshoppers in Acrididae.
pygmy-grasshoppergroundhopperTetrigidaeNearcticmoist-habitatpronotumcristateNorth-Americaleaf-litteraquatic-marginOrthopteraCaeliferajumping-insectsmall-grasshoppercrested-pronotumsubspecies-variationAlbertaConnecticutFloridaGeorgiaIllinoislake-shorepond-edgestream-marginground-dwellingScudder-1862Batrachidea-cristataNomotettix-cristatus-cristatusNomotettix-cristatus-compressusNomotettix-cristatus-floridanusTetriginaeAcridideaTetrigoideaHexapodaPterygotainsectarthropodanimaleukaryotemetazoaanimaliaarthropodainsectanomotettixcristatuscrestedpygmygrasshoppergrouse-locustnorthern-crested-grouse-locustcrested-grouse-locustcrested-pygmy-grasshopperiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-TaxonomyWikipediaSkejoTumbrinckDevrieseHochkirchMorse-1895Hancock-1902Scudder-1863BatrachideacristatacompressusfloridanusNearctic-region35-species2000-species230-million-yearsdinosaur-contemporarieswater-dependent-lifecyclePeruća-lakeCroatiaBalkansEuropesystematicstaxonomyfaunisticsnatural-historybiodiversityconservationendangeredimperiledZooKeysresearchamateur-naturalistcitizen-scienceobservation53-observationsrareneglected-diversitytropicsMadagascarAustraliaNew-GuineaBorneoBrazilAtlantic-Forestleaf-like-morphologyspineswartsundulationshornsbizarregrotesqueHancock-1907Genera-InsectorumAcididaepronotal-projectionHolocerusNotocerusHolocerus-luciferHolocerus-devrieseiNotocerus-formidabilisMetopomystrum-muricienseOphiotettix-pulcherrimaParaselina-brunneriSelivinga-tribulataCriotettix-bispinosusTetrix-subulataTettigidea-lateralisTetrix-undulataTetrix-tenuicornisParatettix-meridionalisParatettix-mexicanusTetrix-depressaTetrix-arenosaTetrix-bipunctataTetrix-japonicaParatettix-aztecusHyperyboella-orphaniaScelimena-productaEurymorphopus-bolivariensisDiscotettix-belzebuthTetrix-ceperoiTetrix-transsylvanicaArulenusRhacocleis-buchichiiBarbitistes-kaltenbachiAdžićDeranjaPavlovićFran-RebrinaIvan-BudinskiVrlikaHPMHrvatski-Prirodoslovni-MuzejZagrebKitonićMikoFranjevićMedakMathieuSilvaPereiraDe-DomenicoSperberConnorsHendriksenLambertChongMcMasterMonaghanRentzRichterRoseTelnovBarclayPauwelsEntomological-Society-of-LatviaRigaLatviaWallaceaVolume-IIIbiogeographynature-conservationTrinity-Audioguest-blogJosip-SkejoOrthoptera-of-CroatiaBalkan-endemicendemic-speciesnatural-history-museummuseum-collectionsfield-researchcareer-determinationserendipitous-discoverynew-speciessystematic-researchunderstudied-groupregular-publishing20212017202020142016201320122011primary-schoolhigh-schoolbiology-studentsnakesUropeltidaeScolecophidiashield-tailed-snakesblind-snakesgrasshopperscricketsCroatian-endemicfirst-encounterwater-dependencylifecycleleading-European-orthopteristsrare-speciesnew-Arulenus-speciesunderstudiedpublishingTetrigidae-researchencyclopediaElsevierdigital-taxonomyopen-accessinnovationsjournalgrowthtrendingsocial-mediaFlickrunidentified-rare-pygmy-grasshoppersstudentsamateursnew-recordsnot-rareTribulation-helmed-groundhopperKurandaTully-RangeRedlynchKingfisher-parkSpeewahselected-awesome-placesselected-amazing-taxarainforestshumid-forestsextremely-rareweird-lookinglargestmost-colourfulZooKeys-studiesphotographsidentified-to-species-levelvariabilitypronotal-projection-morphologyholotypeMaroantsentraAntongil-BayTamataveAndasibeVohimanaRanomafanaAnalamazaotraTraveler's-PalmRavenala-madagascariensisnatural-habitatskilful-flierflightlarge-back-spinesFormidable-Pygmy-GrasshopperSava-regiontrue-colourssmallinterestingPygmy-unicornsSouthern-AmericaMuricidescriptionmale-holotypeheadsternumfrontal-viewdorsal-viewlateral-viewsternomentumscale-barsGiraffehoppersuniqueantennal-shapeface-colorationvisual-animalscourtshipmating-pairYapen-IslandCenderawasih-BayW-New-Guineayoung-entomologistsdecisionstudy-pygmy-grasshoppersdirectionprimary-and-high-schoolcompare-datafirst-ideafamiliar-animalsfieldorder-Orthopterafriendfellow-studentfirst-systematic-researchtwo-Croatian-endemic-speciesfirst-years2011-2012never-sawsingle-pygmy-grasshopperBIOMSinjTetrigidae-locationaround-waterfirst-time-everlifecycle-water-dependentresearchingcontactingHendrik-DevrieseAxel-HochkirchJosef-TumbrinckCroatian-Natural-History-MuseumSkejo-et-al.-2014Skejo-&-Caballero-2016regularly-publishingAdžić-et-al.-2021Endangered-Pygmy-GrasshoppersEncyclopaedia-of-ConservationMathieu-et-al.-2021ZooKeys-1042Silva-et-al.-2017commentsrecent-changesMetopomystrumCleostratiniMiriatriniZooKeys-702Skejo-et-al.-2020online-social-mediaAnaselinaParaselinaSelivingarare-Australian-pygmy-grasshoppersZooKeys-948Malagasy-devilsnorthsouthZooKeys-957Tumbrinck-&-Skejo-2017taxonomic-and-biogeographic-revisionNew-Guinean-genusOphiotettix-Walker-1871MetrodorinaeOphiotettigini-trib.-nov.33-new-speciesnature's-creationsencouragedU.S.-speciesspectacularclosedHalloweenorange-and-blackArgus-tortoise-beetleChelymorpha-cassideaoleander-caterpillarSyntomeida-epilaiswheel-bugArilus-cristatusmorning-gloryConvolvulaceaesweet-potatotoxic-compoundsalkaloidsnerve-poisonsmonarch-butterflymilkweed-leaf-beetleoleander-aphidpredator-protectionpolka-dot-wasp-mothvermillion-wingsiridescent-blue-bodywhite-spotswasp-mimicryultrasonic-songmate-attractionegg-depositionoleander-leafcaterpillarscluster-feedingcardiac-glycosidesheart-poisonsdogbane-beetlesnatural-enemiesbarrel-shaped-eggspale-orangeexoskeleton-hardeningorange-black-orangeantennae-pale-orangebody-and-legs-jet-blackrear-end-brilliant-orangestout-beakproboscisimpalementdigestive-enzymesliquefactionmedieval-torture-wheelHemipteratrue-bugssucking-mouthpartsincomplete-metamorphosisegg-nymph-adultplant-feedersharlequin-bugssquash-bugsstink-bugsfierce-predatorspest-controlReduviidaeassassin-bugsZelus-longipesmilkweed-assassin-bugsticky-forelegsprey-snaringproteolytic-enzymespredigestionmuscular-pumpblack-wing-budsgoldenrodsmeadow-plantsPselliopus-barberiorange-assassin-bugblack-stripesstealthleafhopperbrown-marmorated-stink-bugHalyomorpha-halysbiological-control-agentnative-protein-sourcesautumn-egg-layingspring-hatchingMay-Junered-abdomensorange-antennaesawfly-larvaebeetlesother-bugspainful-pokecautionhandlingpet-keepingMad-MagazineSpy-vs-Spypointy-nosed-secret-agentsentomological-equivalentBug-vs-BugHeteropteraclanawesome-predatornative-to-North-Americarecord-numbersnurseryfunction-of-wheelspeculationcautious-approachembraceliquefied-mealprotein-for-growthegg-productioncluster-sizetree-barkmagnificent-creatureswide-varietyscoresstealthy-stalkingassassinationcomplementary-outbreakbenefitnaturally-occurring-predatorsparasitesstem-onslaughtno-interest-in-humansretreatmemorable-painful-pokefirsthand-experienceclever-assassinUSDA-NIFA-SCRI-Awardresearch-supportaction-videowebsitepredator-prey-relationshipnatural-enemyultimate-comeuppanceChinese-praying-mantisyellow-and-black-garden-spiderarachnidclose-encounterinvasive-pestAsiaAllentown-PA1990smillions-of-dollars-damagecropshome-invasion33-stateswinter-refugerising-crescendoconcernfarm-fieldslandscapescreature's-banebountyawesome-six-legged-predatormedieval-torture-devicesource-of-speculationlittle-facttasty-morselmarkhapless-victimslurpprotein-for-developmentautumnwell-fed-femaleseveral-to-more-than-one-hundredsycamore-treeattendanceironynocenttriggered-outbreakremain-to-be-seenword-of-cautionAssasipetlaboratorylearned-firsthandtry-not-to-handlevictimShrewsburyMartinsonSargentfascinationinspirationarchivecreaturestreesUFextensionintegrated-pest-managementNC-StateAG295htmltortoise-beetlesIFASornole-cpillarUKYAgricultureCritterFilescasefileinsectsbugsassassinsuggested-common-namescientific-nameLinnaeusMegha-KalsiDakshina-R.-Sealpublicationpreparationhappy-safe-Halloweeneat-stink-bugpart-3meets-wheel-bugmid-Atlantic-regioninimitable-pestapplesvegetablessoybeanshomesdiscoverydamagedistresshomeownerswicked-winterprevious-episodesgive-stink-bugsBaby-boomersoutwitundosucking-insectsMother-Natureliquefied-tissuesegg-conversionclustersspringbright-red-abdomensluckyhalf-dozenstealthily-stalkedassassinatingstinky-marmorated-cousinsno-particular-intereststalking-humanstoo-largetaste-badfirsthandbewarehandling-directlyAshleyNancyChrisRyanErikCarolinewranglingdeath-of-stink-bugPart-2vandalizing-vegetablessullying-soybeansinvading-homeswide-variety-cropscurious-reunionarachnid-kindstalkingcapturingassassinating-stink-bugsgamegorgeous-wheel-bug-nymphscluster-near-eggsventuring-offfirst-victimtrue-bug-clanbed-bugsleaf-footed-bugsnefarious-brown-marmorated-stink-bugpredictedstruggleprotect-cropsprevent-stinky-invadersoverlookeating-mechanismbusiness-endpowerful-beakfront-legscautiously-approachesembracesimpalespumps-strong-digestive-enzymesliquefy-body-tissuesslurpslarvaetens-to-more-than-one-hundredplant-hoppersaphidsincrease-in-populationsstink-bug-laden-nurserycurious-ironyoutbreakbeneficial-wheel-bugsiNaturalist-taxonrankpreferred-common-nameobservations-count399Wikipedia-summarykingdomphylumclassorderfamilygenusGBIF-taxonomy-matchmatched-scientific-namecanonical-namestatusacceptedmatch-typeexactdistribution-recordsauthorshipspecific-epithetclassificationeukaryotanomotettix-cristatusauthoritybasionymgroupgrasshoppers-crickets-katydidsspeciesinstructionsfill-all-fieldsavailable-knowledgefield-cannot-be-supportedreturn-nullNOT-repeat-informationeach-section-focuseduseful-detailschemataxon-recordentomology-guideaccurateconservativeinformativefactual-correctnesscompletenessclarityverbosityusefulnessCRITICAL-RULESinformation-not-clearly-supportedNOT-infer-species-level-traitshigher-taxaexplicitly-justifiedNOT-repeat-same-informationmultiple-fieldsunique-non-overlapping-contentvague-generalizationslike-most-insectstypically-feeds-on-plantscautious-languagehas-been-observedis-known-toNOT-fabricatebehaviorsdietlife-cycle-detailshost-relationshipsFIELD-INTENTsummaryhigh-level-overview3-5-sentencesappearancephysical-description-onlyidentificationdistinguish-from-similar-taxahabitatenvironment-conditionsdistributiongeographic-range-onlyseasonalitytiming-of-activityfeeding-habitsnull-if-unknowndevelopmental-stagesbehaviornotable-actions-or-habitsecologicalRolerole-in-ecosystemhumanRelevanceinteraction-with-humanssimilarTaxamust-include-reasonmisconceptionsonly-if-meaningfulextraDetailsimportant-additional-contextSTYLE-RULESclear-direct-sentencesavoid-fluff-filler-languagerepeating-taxonomy-in-proseoverly-technical-jargonconcrete-statementsabstract-descriptionsQUALITY-RULEScompleteness-highmost-fields-well-supportedcompleteness-mediumpartial-but-reliablecompleteness-lowsparse-datahasInferredContenttrue-ONLY-if-generalization-usedotherwise-falseOUTPUT-FORMATstrictly-match-JSON-schemano-extra-fieldsno-commentary-outside-JSONwater-associatedthree-subspeciesN.-c.-cristatusN.-c.-compressusN.-c.-floridanussmall-size399-observationsexact-matchmedium-completenessno-inferred-contentfactual-correctness-prioritizedconservative-approachinformative-contentno-fluffno-vague-generalizationscautious-language-where-neededno-fabricationunique-field-contentfocused-sectionsJSON-schema-complianceno-commentaryNosodendridae
Wounded-tree Beetles
Nosodendridae is a small family of beetles containing fewer than 100 species across three extant genera, with a worldwide distribution. The family represents an isolated lineage within Polyphaga, positioned as sister to the clade comprising Staphyliniformia, Bostrichoidea, and Cucujiformia. Members are primarily associated with decaying organic matter and tree wound environments. The largest genus, Nosodendron, is attracted to yeast-generated slime on tree wounds.
Notoxinae
Monoceros beetles
Notoxinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Anthicidae, commonly known as monoceros beetles. Members of this group are small, elongate beetles with distinctive antennal morphology. The subfamily was established by Stephens in 1829 and contains multiple genera distributed across various regions. These beetles are part of the diverse Tenebrionoidea superfamily, which includes many fungus-feeding and detritivorous species.
Notoxus
Hooded Antlike Flower Beetles
Notoxus is a large genus of ant-like beetles in the family Anthicidae, comprising approximately 300 species worldwide. Members are commonly known as "Hooded Antlike Flower Beetles" due to their pronounced pronotal hood structure and superficial resemblance to ants. The genus is taxonomically placed in the subfamily Notoxinae. Despite their ant-like appearance, they are beetles with complete metamorphosis. One species, Notoxus monoceros, has documented life cycle data in scientific literature.
Obriini
Obriini is a tribe of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Cerambycinae. The tribe is represented in Argentina by the genus Obrium, which includes at least eight species in that country. Members of this tribe are small to medium-sized cerambycids with elongated bodies.
Parandrita
Parandrita is a genus of small, flattened beetles in the family Laemophloeidae, established by LeConte and Horn in 1880. The genus contains approximately eleven described species distributed across North America and the Hawaiian Islands. Members of this genus are part of a family commonly known as 'lined flat bark beetles,' though specific ecological details for Parandrita remain poorly documented.
Pelonomus
long-toed water beetles
Pelonomus is a genus of long-toed water beetles in the family Dryopidae, first described by Erichson in 1847. The genus contains approximately five described species distributed primarily in the Americas. These beetles are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. Members of this genus are characterized by elongated tarsi adapted for clinging to submerged substrates.
Pentariini
Pentariini is a tribe of small beetles in the family Scraptiidae, subfamily Anaspidinae. Members are commonly known as false flower beetles. The tribe was established by Franciscolo in 1954. Pentariini species are primarily found in the Old World tropics and subtropics.
Peritelodes
Peritelodes is a genus of broad-nosed weevils in the beetle family Curculionidae, established by Casey in 1888. The genus belongs to the tribe Peritelini within the subfamily Entiminae. At least one species, P. obtectus, has been described. Members of this genus share the characteristic broad rostrum typical of Entiminae weevils.
Phalacridae
shining flower beetles
Phalacridae is a family of small beetles commonly known as shining flower beetles. The family contains approximately 638 species in 52 genera worldwide. Adults are typically found on composite flowers, particularly Asteraceae, where they feed on pollen and floral tissues. Most species are fungivorous, though some feed on flower heads and developing seeds. The family has a fossil record extending to the Early Cretaceous.
Phileurini
Phileurini is a tribe of scarab beetles within the subfamily Dynastinae, established by Burmeister in 1847. The tribe includes two subtribes: Cryptodina (Burmeister & Schaum, 1840) containing the genus Cryptodus, and Phileurina (Burmeister, 1847). Members of this tribe are primarily Neotropical in distribution, with some species extending into North America. The genus Phileurus, the namesake of the tribe, includes species that are sometimes mistaken for bess beetles (Passalidae) due to their flattened, parallel-sided body form.
Phyrdenus
hidden snout weevils
Phyrdenus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as hidden snout weevils. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1876 and contains more than 20 described species. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Curculionidae family, the largest family of beetles. The common name "hidden snout weevils" refers to a morphological characteristic of the rostrum structure in these beetles.
Plegaderus
clown beetles
Plegaderus is a genus of small clown beetles in the family Histeridae, established by Erichson in 1834. The genus contains more than 30 described species. These beetles belong to the subfamily Abraeinae and tribe Plegaderini. Members are found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Pogonocherini
Pogonocherini is a tribe of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) within the subfamily Lamiinae. The tribe comprises approximately 18 genera distributed primarily in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Members are generally small to medium-sized cerambycids with varied morphological adaptations. The genus Pogonocherus is the type genus and among the most species-rich in the tribe.
Pteropliini
Pteropliini is a tribe of longhorn beetles within the subfamily Lamiinae (Cerambycidae). Members of this tribe are characterized by their elongated antennae and typically robust body forms typical of flat-faced longhorns. The tribe contains multiple genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with some species extending into temperate zones.
Ptininae
Spider Beetles
Ptininae is a subfamily of small beetles commonly known as spider beetles, containing approximately 500 species. Members are characterized by rounded, compact bodies, long slender legs, and complete absence of wings. Both adults and larvae are scavengers. The subfamily has been treated variously as part of Anobiidae or as the separate family Ptinidae.
Pycnomerini
Pycnomerini is a tribe of beetles in the family Zopheridae, subfamily Zopherinae, first described by Erichson in 1845. The tribe includes the genus Pycnomerus, whose members are primarily saproxylic, inhabiting dead and decaying wood in forest ecosystems. Some species, such as P. rimatara and P. prebblei from Rimatara in French Polynesia, are known only from subfossil material and are considered likely extinct due to habitat destruction. The tribe has a global distribution with documented observations across multiple regions.
Rhabdophloeus
Rhabdophloeus is a genus of small beetles in the family Laemophloeidae, established by Sharp in 1899. The genus contains five described species distributed across the Americas. Laemophloeidae, commonly known as lined flat bark beetles, are characterized by their flattened bodies and association with dead or decaying wood. Species within Rhabdophloeus appear to follow this family pattern, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Rhadalidae
Rhadalidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cleroidea, elevated from subfamily status within Melyridae. Adults are predators or pollen-feeders, while larvae are likely carnivorous. The family has a worldwide distribution excluding Australasia, with documented diversity in Mediterranean regions including Cyprus and Romania.
Rhamnusiini
Enoploderini
Rhamnusiini is a tribe of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) within the subfamily Lepturinae. The tribe was formerly known under the synonym Enoploderini. Members are classified within the diverse lepturine beetle lineage, which contains approximately 150 genera worldwide and is most diverse in the Northern Hemisphere.
Schizopodidae
False Jewel Beetles
Schizopodidae is a small family of beetles in the superfamily Buprestoidea, suborder Polyphaga. Formerly treated as a subfamily of Buprestidae, it was elevated to family status in 1991. The family contains five genera, including two extinct genera known from Baltic amber (Eocene) and the Yixian Formation of China (Early Cretaceous). Adults are often found clinging to vegetation, though detailed biological information remains sparse.
Scirtoidea
Scirtoidea is a superfamily of small beetles within the suborder Polyphaga, traditionally comprising four families: Clambidae, Decliniidae, Eucinetidae, and Scirtidae. Molecular phylogenetics has challenged this circumscription, suggesting Clambidae and Eucinetidae belong to a separate superfamily Clamboidea. Scirtoidea and Clamboidea represent the two earliest diverging lineages of extant polyphagan beetles. The superfamily includes two extinct families known from Mesozoic deposits: †Mesocinetidae (Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, Asia) and †Elodophthalmidae (Lebanese amber, Barremian).
Scraptiini
Scraptiini is a tribe of small beetles within the family Scraptiidae, commonly known as false flower beetles. Members are characterized by their compact body form and association with decaying plant material. The tribe was established by Gistel in 1848 and contains multiple genera distributed across temperate regions. These beetles are part of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea and are often encountered in moist, decaying wood or fungal habitats.
Sculptotheca
Sculptotheca is a genus of small beetles in the family Ptinidae (formerly often placed in Anobiidae), established by Schilsky in 1900. The genus contains approximately ten described species, including the known species Sculptotheca puberula. These beetles belong to the group commonly known as spider beetles or deathwatch beetles, though specific ecological details for the genus as a whole remain poorly documented. The family placement has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some sources listing Ptinidae and others Anobiidae.
Silvanidae
Silvan Flat Bark Beetles, Silvanid Flat Bark Beetles
Silvanidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cucujoidea, comprising approximately 68 genera and 500 described species. Members are found on all continents except Antarctica, with highest diversity in the Old World tropics. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Brontinae (larger, loosely jointed beetles with long antennae and mandibular mycangia) and Silvaninae (smaller beetles with closed procoxal cavities). While many species inhabit subcortical environments under bark, several genera have become economically significant stored product pests.
Silvanus
Silvanus is a genus of beetles in the family Silvanidae, first described by Latreille in 1804. These insects belong to the superfamily Cucujoidea within the suborder Polyphaga. The genus is part of a group commonly known as silvanid or flat bark beetles, though specific ecological details for Silvanus itself are not well documented in the provided sources.
Staphylinoidea
Rove, Ant-like stone, and Carrion Beetles
Staphylinoidea is a large and diverse superfamily of beetles with worldwide distribution, encompassing approximately 58,000 described species across six families. Adults range from minute (Ptiliidae at 0.3 mm, the smallest non-parasitic insects) to moderately large (Staphylinidae up to 50 mm, Silphidae up to 45 mm). The superfamily is characterized by distinctive wing and abdominal morphology: hind wings lack accessory posterior ridges, medial loops, wedge cells, and apical hinges; the 8th abdominal segment is not fully invaginated within the 7th; and the head typically lacks a coronal suture. Larvae possess 3-segmented maxillary palps with distinct galea and lacinia, well-developed tergites and sternites, and annular or annular-biforous spiracles without epistomal lobes.
Symbiotes
Symbiotes is a genus of beetles in the family Anamorphidae (order Coleoptera), established by L. Redtenbacher in 1847. The genus is accepted in the Catalogue of Life and classified within the superfamily Coccinelloidea. The name has been used in multiple unrelated contexts, including as a bacterial genus (Pseudomonadota, Rickettsiales) and as fictional extraterrestrial organisms in Marvel Comics. This record addresses the beetle genus.
Synchroidae
synchroa bark beetles
Synchroidae is a small family of tenebrionoid beetles containing three extant genera: Mallodrya (monotypic, North America), Synchroa (five species, North America and Asia), and Synchroina (two species, Oriental region). The family has been historically confused with Melandryidae but was established as independent based on larval morphology and adult characters. Members are elongate, slightly flattened beetles with brownish to black coloration, ranging 10–16 mm in length.
Tachyusa
Tachyusa is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, tribe Tachyusini. The genus was established by Erichson in 1837 and contains more than 20 described species. Members of this genus are small beetles with the characteristic short elytra of rove beetles. The genus is recorded from parts of northern Europe.
Tanaops
Tanaops is a genus of soft-winged flower beetles (family Melyridae) comprising approximately 25 described species distributed in the Americas. These beetles belong to a family known for their flexible, often colorful elytra and frequent association with flowers. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1859. Members of Tanaops share the general melyrid body plan but specific ecological and behavioral traits remain poorly documented in the literature.
Tarpela
Tarpela is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Bates in 1870. The genus contains approximately five described species distributed across Asia and North America. Species include T. formosana and T. zoltani from Taiwan, T. micans from Europe and Asia, and T. undulata and T. venusta from North America.
Telegeusidae
Long-lipped Beetles
Telegeusidae is a small family of beetles commonly known as Long-lipped Beetles. The family contains a limited number of described species, with Telegeusis texensis being among the better-studied members. These beetles are characterized by distinctive elongated mouthpart structures. Information on their biology remains sparse, with most knowledge derived from limited observational studies of adult males.
Tetracampidae
Tetracampidae is a small family of parasitic wasps within the superfamily Chalcidoidea, comprising approximately 44 species in 15 genera. These wasps are parasitoids of phytophagous insects, with most known hosts being flies (Diptera), particularly those that mine in plants. Some species also parasitize eggs of sawflies (Diprionidae) and beetles (Chrysomelidae, Cassididae). The family is predominantly distributed in the Old World, with species almost entirely absent from the New World. The biology of most species remains poorly studied.
Tetratomidae
polypore fungus beetles
Tetratomidae is a small family of beetles in the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, commonly known as polypore fungus beetles. The family was historically classified within Melandryidae but is now recognized as distinct based on larval and adult morphological characters. Members are found worldwide and are specialized consumers of fungal fruiting bodies. The family includes several extant genera as well as fossil genera from Cretaceous amber deposits.
Vacusus
Vacusus is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) within the subfamily Pseudopsinae. The genus contains multiple described species distributed across various regions. Members of this genus are small, elongate beetles characteristic of the Pseudopsinae, a relatively small subfamily of Staphylinidae. Information regarding specific biology and ecology of Vacusus species remains limited in published literature.