Cleridae
Guides
Araeodontia
Araeodontia is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. The genus contains five described species, all native to North America. It was established by Barr in 1952. Species in this genus are relatively poorly known compared to other clerid genera.
Aulicus
Aulicus is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, containing approximately 14 described species. These beetles are part of the diverse clerid fauna, a family known for predatory habits. The genus was established by Spinola in 1841. Specific biological details for most Aulicus species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Aulicus antennatus
Aulicus antennatus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. The genus Aulicus belongs to the clerid subfamily Clerinae, a group of predatory beetles commonly associated with other insects. Records indicate this species is present in the University of California Riverside (UCR) entomology collection, though detailed biological information remains limited. Like other clerids, members of this genus are presumed to be predatory, but specific prey associations for A. antennatus have not been documented.
Aulicus dentipes
Aulicus dentipes is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Schaeffer in 1921. It belongs to the genus Aulicus, a group of predatory beetles within this family. The species is documented from North America, though specific details regarding its biology, ecology, and distribution within this range remain poorly known in the available literature.
Aulicus edwardsii
Aulicus edwardsii is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It belongs to the genus Aulicus, which is part of a family of predatory beetles commonly associated with dead wood habitats. The species is known to be a host for the parasitic chalcidid wasp Acanthochalcis nigricans, indicating its role in complex ecological interactions involving wood-boring beetles and their parasitoids.
Aulicus femoralis
checkered beetle
Aulicus femoralis is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Schaeffer in 1917. It is found in North America. As a member of Cleridae, it belongs to a family whose larvae are predominantly predatory, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Aulicus monticola
checkered beetle
Aulicus monticola is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It was described by Gorham in 1882. The species occurs in Central America and North America. As a member of the Cleridae, it belongs to a family commonly known as checkered beetles, which are predominantly predatory.
Boschella
Boschella is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, established by Barr in 1980. The genus contains a single described species, Boschella fasciata. Checkered beetles in this family are generally predatory or scavenging, though specific ecological details for this genus remain limited.
Boschella fasciata
Boschella fasciata is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It was described by LeConte in 1852 and is currently accepted as valid. The species is known from North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. It belongs to the genus Boschella, which is part of the diverse Cleridae family of predatory beetles commonly known as checkered beetles.
Chariessa
checkered beetles
Chariessa is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, containing approximately six to seven described species. These beetles are carnivorous predators typically associated with oak trees (Quercus), where they likely prey on wood-boring insects. The genus has a broad distribution spanning North, Central, and South America, with some species also occurring in the Palearctic region. Species such as Chariessa pilosa demonstrate this wide range, occurring across both North America and Eurasia.
Chariessa dichroa
Blue Clerid
Chariessa dichroa is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It occurs in North America, with records concentrated along the West Coast. The species is distinguished from congeners by its black legs. As a member of the genus Chariessa, it is carnivorous.
Chariessa pilosa
Pilose Checkered Beetle
Chariessa pilosa is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is a predator of wood-boring beetles and has been recorded from Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species is known to inhabit galleries made by wood-boring beetles, including during its pupation stage.
Chariessa texana
Chariessa texana is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Wolcott in 1908. The species is known from North America, with records primarily from the southwestern and central United States including Missouri. As a member of Cleridae, it belongs to a family of predatory beetles commonly associated with wood-boring insects and their galleries.
Chariessa vestita
Vested Blue Clerid
Chariessa vestita is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning Central America, North America, and South America. As a member of the Cleridae family, it belongs to a group commonly known as checkered beetles, many of which are predatory on other insects.
Clerinae
Clerinae is a subfamily of checkered beetles (family Cleridae) comprising numerous genera distributed across tropical and temperate regions worldwide. The subfamily includes diverse species with varied ecological associations, including flower-visiting and predatory behaviors. Taxonomic revisions have substantially expanded recognized diversity, with many genera such as Neorthrius, Xenorthrius, Erymanthus, Eunatalis, Tillicera, and Enoclerus undergoing recent systematic study. Some lineages show strong biogeographic patterns linked to Gondwanan origins and Andean vicariance events.
Cregya
checkered beetles
Cregya is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, subfamily Peloniinae. The genus was established by LeConte in 1861 and contains over 100 described species, though only a small number are commonly referenced. Species occur in North America, including the eastern United States and Mexico. The genus includes notable species such as Cregya oculata and Cregya mixta.
Cregya america
Cregya america is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Opitz in 2019. It belongs to the subfamily Peloniinae and is part of the genus Cregya, which was established by LeConte. The species is known from limited observations, with records documented through iNaturalist. As a member of Cleridae, it likely functions as a predator or scavenger in forest and woodland habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Cregya mixta
checkered beetle
Cregya mixta is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by LeConte in 1866. The species belongs to the subfamily Peloniinae and is distributed across North America. As a clerid beetle, it is likely predatory, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published sources.
Cregya quadrinotata
Cregya quadrinotata is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, subfamily Peloniinae. The species was described from specimens collected in Florida, U.S.A. and Puebla, México. It belongs to a genus of clerid beetles that are primarily predatory, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Cymatodera
checkered beetles
Cymatodera is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, tribe Tillinae, comprising at least 70 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropics and Nearctic regions. Species within this genus exhibit considerable morphological diversity, with several new species described recently from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Members are typically found in association with woody vegetation and are attracted to ultraviolet light.
Cymatodera aegra-complex
checkered beetle
The Cymatodera aegra-complex comprises a group of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, subfamily Tillinae. These beetles are known from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where they have been collected in association with desert thorn-scrub vegetation. Members of this complex are morphologically similar and may represent a cryptic species assemblage requiring further taxonomic study.
Cymatodera angustata
Cymatodera angustata is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. The species was described by Spinola in 1844 and occurs in Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Cymatodera, it belongs to a group of clerid beetles commonly associated with predatory habits on other insects, though species-specific biology for C. angustata remains poorly documented.
Cymatodera balteata
banded checkered beetle, Long-necked Cymatodera
Cymatodera balteata is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, commonly known as the banded checkered beetle or Long-necked Cymatodera. It is native to North America and Central America. The species belongs to a genus characterized by elongated neck-like pronota that distinguish them from other clerid beetles. Like other members of Cleridae, it is presumed to be predaceous, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Cymatodera bicolor
Bicolored Checkered Beetle
Cymatodera bicolor is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Thomas Say in 1825. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) and the United States. The species epithet 'bicolor' refers to its two-toned coloration. As a member of Cleridae, it belongs to a family commonly known as checkered beetles, many of which are predatory on other insects.
Cymatodera brevicollis
Cymatodera brevicollis is a checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Schaeffer in 1917. The species is native to North America. Like other members of the genus Cymatodera, it is likely a predator of other insects, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species name 'brevicollis' refers to its relatively short neck or pronotum.
Cymatodera decipiens
Cymatodera decipiens is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Fall in 1906. It belongs to a genus of predatory beetles commonly associated with flowers and woody vegetation. The species is known from western North America, with records extending into British Columbia, Canada.
Cymatodera delicatula
checkered beetle
Cymatodera delicatula is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It occurs in Central America and North America. As a member of Cleridae, it belongs to a family commonly known as checkered beetles, which are generally predatory or feed on other insects.
Cymatodera fuchsii
checkered beetle
Cymatodera fuchsii is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Schaeffer in 1904. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Checkered beetles in the family Cleridae are predatory insects, though specific ecological details for C. fuchsii remain poorly documented. The genus Cymatodera belongs to the subfamily Tillinae, a group characterized by elongated bodies and predatory habits.
Cymatodera fuscula
Cymatodera fuscula is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by LeConte in 1852. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Members of the genus Cymatodera are predatory beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Cymatodera horni
checkered beetle
Cymatodera horni is a species of checkered beetle described by Wolcott in 1910. It belongs to the family Cleridae, a group of predatory beetles often associated with wood-boring insects. The species is documented from both Central America and North America. Records are sparse, with limited published biological information available.
Cymatodera neomexicana
New Mexican checkered beetle
Cymatodera neomexicana is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Knull in 1934. It belongs to the subfamily Tillinae, which includes predatory clerids that typically feed on other insects. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Cymatodera pubescens
Cymatodera pubescens is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Wolcott in 1909. It is native to North America. Like other members of the genus Cymatodera, it belongs to a group of clerid beetles commonly known as checkered beetles. The species is rarely encountered in collections and field observations, with only 8 documented observations on iNaturalist as of the available data.
Cymatodera schwarzi
Cymatodera schwarzi is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Wolcott in 1921. The species is known from North America, with collection records from the southwestern United States including Arizona. Like other members of the genus Cymatodera, it is likely a predator associated with wood-boring beetles, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Cymatodera scitula
Cymatodera scitula is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Barr in 1972. It belongs to the subfamily Tillinae, a group of predatory beetles commonly known as
Cymatodera sirpata
Pale-tipped Cymatodera
Cymatodera sirpata is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1885. It is native to North America and has been documented through over 300 iNaturalist observations. The species belongs to a genus of clerid beetles known for their predatory habits and association with various woody plants.
Cymatodera tricolor
Cymatodera tricolor is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Skinner in 1905. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of Cleridae, it belongs to a family commonly known as checkered beetles, many of which are predatory and associated with wood-boring insects.
Cymatodera tuta
Cymatodera tuta is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. The species was described by Wolcott in 1910. It is known from Middle America and North America. The genus Cymatodera includes predatory species that feed on other insects.
Cymatodera usta
Cymatodera usta is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by LeConte in 1858. The genus Cymatodera comprises predatory beetles commonly known as checkered beetles due to their distinctive color patterns. Members of this genus are typically found in association with woody vegetation where they prey on other insects.
Cymatodera wolcotti
Wolcott's blister beetle
Cymatodera wolcotti is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, named after entomologist Albert Burke Wolcott (1869-1950). Adults measure 9–14 mm and exhibit distinctive morphological features including an elongated sixth visible ventrite. The species is known from North America, with adults documented on peach trees, water oaks, and slash pine cones bearing fusiform rust cankers.
Cymatodera xavierae
Cymatodera xavierae is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Knull in 1940. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Cymatodera, it belongs to a group of predatory beetles commonly known as checkered beetles due to their patterned coloration.
Cymatoderella
Cymatoderella is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, established by Barr in 1962. The genus contains three described species: C. collaris, C. morula, and C. patagoniae. Members of this genus are part of the diverse clerid beetle fauna, a family known for predatory habits. Cymatoderella species have been recorded from the United States, including Vermont.
Cymatoderella collaris
Cymatoderella collaris is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with confirmed records from both regions. The genus Cymatoderella belongs to the clerid beetle lineage, a family known for predatory habits, though species-specific biology for this taxon remains poorly documented. The original description placed this species in the genus Tillus before its transfer to Cymatoderella.
Cymatoderella patagoniae
Cymatoderella patagoniae is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Knull in 1946. Despite its specific epithet suggesting Patagonia, the species occurs in Central America and North America. As a clerid beetle, it belongs to a family known for predatory habits, though species-specific biology remains poorly documented.
Enoclerus acerbus
Enoclerus acerbus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Wolcott in 1911. It belongs to the genus Enoclerus, the largest genus of Cleridae in North America north of Mexico with 32 species. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a predator of woodboring beetles, though specific prey relationships for this species have not been documented. The species is found in North America.
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 cordifer
Red-girdled Gray Enoclerus
A species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, native to North America. It is one of approximately 32 species in the genus Enoclerus north of Mexico. Like other members of its family, it is likely a predator of woodboring beetles and their larvae, though specific prey relationships for this species remain undocumented.
Enoclerus decussatus
checkered beetle
Enoclerus decussatus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Enoclerus hoegei
Enoclerus hoegei is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. The species was originally described by Gorham in 1883 under the genus Cymatodera, and is currently recognized as a valid species within the large genus Enoclerus, which contains 32 species in North America north of Mexico. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases. The genus Enoclerus is characterized by bright coloration and bold patterning, with many species exhibiting mimicry of velvet ants (Mutillidae) and other hymenopterans.
Enoclerus laetus nexus
Enoclerus laetus nexus is a subspecies of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Barr in 1976. It is distributed in western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada and parts of the western United States. The species Enoclerus laetus belongs to the largest genus of North American Cleridae. Like other members of the genus, it likely inhabits dead wood habitats where it preys on other wood-associated insects, particularly bark beetles.
Enoclerus lunatus
Enoclerus lunatus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. The species is distributed across North America. As a member of the genus Enoclerus—the largest genus of Cleridae in North America north of Mexico with 32 species—E. lunatus shares the family characteristic of being a predator of woodboring beetles rather than a woodborer itself. Specific details regarding its appearance, habitat preferences, and prey associations remain poorly documented in the available literature.