Clown-beetle
Guides
Acritus acaroides
Acritus acaroides is a minute clown beetle (family Histeridae) in the tribe Acritini. It is one of the smallest members of its family, measuring 0.9–1.1 mm in length, with exceptional individuals rarely reaching 2 mm. The species is known from a restricted range in the southeastern United States. Like other histerid beetles, it likely occupies microhabitats associated with decaying organic matter.
Acritus discus
clown beetle
Acritus discus is a small clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. It belongs to the subfamily Abraeinae, a group of diminutive histerids often associated with decaying organic matter. The species is recorded from multiple localities in eastern North America, including Georgia, Indiana, and New York.
Acritus exiguus
clown beetle
Acritus exiguus is a small clown beetle (family Histeridae) described by Erichson in 1834. It occurs across much of eastern North America from southern Canada to Mexico, with records from the northeastern United States through the Gulf Coast states and west to Colorado and Texas. Like other members of the genus Acritus, it is minute in size and associated with decaying organic matter. The species is documented from museum collections and limited iNaturalist observations, though detailed ecological studies remain sparse.
Acritus komai
clown beetle
Acritus komai is a small clown beetle (family Histeridae) described by Lewis in 1879. The species exhibits a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania. It belongs to the subfamily Abraeinae, a group of diminutive histerids often associated with decaying organic matter. The species name honors a person, following the Japanese surname 'Komai'.
Aeletes
clown beetles
Aeletes is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae, established by Horn in 1873. The genus contains more than 80 described species. These beetles belong to the subfamily Abraeinae and tribe Acritini. Species in this genus are small histerid beetles with limited documented ecological information.
Aeletes politus
clown beetle
Aeletes politus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1853. The species is found across North America, with records from Canada and the eastern United States. As a member of Histeridae, it belongs to a family of beetles commonly associated with decomposing organic matter and carrion.
Anapleus marginatus
clown beetle
Anapleus marginatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1853. The species is found in North America, with confirmed records from multiple U.S. states including Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. As a member of the Histeridae family, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles, which are typically associated with decaying organic matter and are known for their compact, oval body shape and clubbed antennae.
Aphelosternus interstitialis
Aphelosternus interstitialis is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by John L. LeConte in 1851. The species is native to western North America, with confirmed records from California. Like other members of the subfamily Saprininae, it is likely associated with decomposing organic matter and carrion, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Aphelosternus is a small group within the diverse Histeridae, and species-level biology for most members is not well studied.
Aritaerius
Aritaerius is a genus of clown beetles (family Histeridae) containing a single described species, A. pallidus. The genus was established in 2004 by Kovarik & Tishechkin and is classified within the subfamily Haeteriinae, a group known for associations with social insects. As a member of the Histeridae, it shares the family's characteristic compact body form and clubbed antennae.
Aritaerius pallidus
Aritaerius pallidus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Kovarik and Tishechkin in 2004. It belongs to the subfamily Haeteriinae, a group known for their associations with ants and termites. The species is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of Haeteriinae, it likely exhibits myrmecophilous or termitophilous behavior, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Arizonacritus
Arizonacritus is a genus of clown beetles (family Histeridae) described in 2013. The genus contains a single described species, Arizonacritus talayesvai. It belongs to the tribe Acritini within the subfamily Abraeinae. The genus name references Arizona, indicating a geographic association with this region.
Atholus americanus
clown beetle
Atholus americanus is a small clown beetle (family Histeridae) native to North America. Adults measure 2.7–4.2 mm in length. The species is distinguished from congeners by its united 5th dorsal and sutural striations and the complete absence of subhumeral striations. It occupies a geographic range extending from the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains eastward to central Quebec, with its southern distribution limits remaining poorly documented.
Atholus bimaculatus
Spotted Clown Beetle
Atholus bimaculatus, commonly known as the spotted clown beetle, is a species of histerid beetle with a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents. The species is native to the Palearctic region (Europe, Northern Asia, North Africa) and has been introduced to North America, South America, and parts of Asia. It belongs to the family Histeridae, a group commonly called clown beetles or hister beetles, which are typically associated with decomposing organic matter. The specific epithet 'bimaculatus' refers to two spots, likely describing a characteristic marking pattern on the elytra.
Atholus falli
Atholus falli
Atholus falli is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Bickhardt in 1912. It is known from North America with documented records across Canada and the United States. As a member of Histeridae, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter and carrion.
Atholus relictus
clown beetle
Atholus relictus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is found in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. The species was described by Marseul in 1870. As a member of Histeridae, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with decomposing organic matter.
Atholus sedecimstriatus
clown beetle
Atholus sedecimstriatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Thomas Say in 1825. The species is native to North America and has been documented in both the United States and Canada. It belongs to a genus of small histerid beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter. The specific epithet 'sedecimstriatus' (Latin for 'sixteen-striped') likely refers to elytral striation patterns characteristic of the species.
Bacanius acuminatus
clown beetle
Bacanius acuminatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Casey in 1893. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from California. The species belongs to a group commonly known as clown beetles, characterized by their compact, often rounded body form and clubbed antennae. Like other histerids, it is likely associated with decaying organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Bacanius globulinus
clown beetle
Bacanius globulinus is a species of clown beetle (family Histeridae) described by Casey in 1893. It belongs to the subfamily Dendrophilinae, a group of small histerid beetles often associated with decaying organic matter. The species has been documented in California, USA, with limited observational records available.
Bacanius hatchi
Bacanius hatchi is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Wenzel in 1960. It is known from the Pacific Northwest region of North America, with records from Oregon and Washington. As a member of the Histeridae, it belongs to a family of beetles commonly associated with decomposing organic matter and various microhabitats.
Bacanius tantillus
Bacanius tantillus is a small species of clown beetle (family Histeridae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. It is one of the smallest members of its genus, as indicated by its specific epithet 'tantillus' (Latin for 'so little'). The species is native to eastern North America, where it occurs in forested habitats. Like other members of the subfamily Dendrophilinae, it is likely associated with decaying wood and fungal substrates.
Baconia venusta
clown beetle
Baconia venusta is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1845. The genus Baconia is renowned for brilliant coloration and bizarrely flattened body forms, with species exhibiting jewel-like metallic hues that are rare in the Histeridae family. Species in this genus are believed to be predators of wood-boring beetles and their larvae, with some attracted to bark beetle pheromones. B. venusta is one of approximately 116 species in the genus, most of which were described in a 2013 systematic revision.
Caerosternus americanus
Caerosternus americanus is a small clown beetle (family Histeridae) originally described by LeConte in 1844. It is distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and numerous U.S. states. The species belongs to the subfamily Tribalinae within the diverse Histeridae, a family commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with decaying organic matter, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
Carcinops opuntiae
clown beetle
Carcinops opuntiae is a species of histerid beetle in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles. It occurs in North America, with records from the southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Texas) and Mexico. The species epithet 'opuntiae' suggests an association with Opuntia cacti, though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented. Like other histerids, adults are likely predatory, feeding on the eggs and larvae of other insects.
Carcinops tejonicus
Carcinops tejonicus is a hister beetle in the family Histeridae. The species is distributed in California, USA and Mexico. It has been recorded as present in both Middle America and North America.
Carcinops viridicollis
clown beetle
Carcinops viridicollis is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Marseul in 1855. It is distributed across Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States (Arizona), Mexico, and Guatemala. The specific epithet "viridicollis" (green-necked) suggests a distinctive coloration feature. As a member of the Histeridae family, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with decomposing organic matter.
Dendrophilus kiteleyi
clown beetle
Dendrophilus kiteleyi is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Bousquet & Laplante in 1999. It is a small predatory beetle found in forested regions of North America. The species belongs to a genus associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats.
Dendrophilus opacus
Dendrophilus opacus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Ross in 1940. It is found in North America, with recorded occurrences in Kansas, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. As a member of the Histeridae, it belongs to a family of beetles commonly known for their association with decomposing organic matter and their characteristic compact, oval body form.
Dendrophilus punctatus
clown beetle
Dendrophilus punctatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: Dendrophilus punctatus punctatus and Dendrophilus punctatus championi. Like other histerid beetles, it is likely associated with decomposing organic matter and forested habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Dendrophilus xavieri
clown beetle
Dendrophilus xavieri is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Marseul in 1873. The species has a notably broad distribution spanning native ranges in East Asia and introduced populations in Europe, North America, and Australia. Its status as an accepted species versus synonym remains inconsistently reported across taxonomic databases.
Dromaeolus punctatus
Dromaeolus punctatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. Members of this genus are typically associated with forest habitats and are often found under bark or in decaying wood. The genus Dromaeolus is characterized by its elongate body form and distinctive antennal structure.
Eblisia
Eblisia is a genus of histerid beetles established by Lewis in 1889. The genus contains at least two described species and has been recorded across multiple continents, suggesting a broad geographic range. Members belong to the tribe Platysomatini within the subfamily Histerinae.
Eblisia carolina
Eblisia carolina is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Eurylister carolinus. The species has been recorded in eastern and central North America, with confirmed occurrences in Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and the United States from Connecticut to Florida and west to Texas and South Dakota.
Eleodes blanchardii
clown beetle
Eleodes blanchardii is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly referred to as a 'clown beetle' due to the defensive head-stand posture characteristic of the genus. It belongs to a large and diverse genus of ground-dwelling beetles found primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. The species was described by Blaisdell in 1909.
Eleodes delicata
clown beetle
Eleodes delicata is a species of clown beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Blaisdell in 1929. It belongs to a large genus of darkling beetles known for defensive head-stand behavior. The species is recorded from Mexico, though detailed biological information appears limited in published literature. Like other Eleodes species, it is presumed to be nocturnal and ground-dwelling.
Eleodes extricata
Extricated Darkling Beetle
Eleodes extricata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the extricated darkling beetle or desert stink beetle. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, a group often referred to as clown beetles or stink beetles due to their defensive behavior of raising their abdomen when threatened. The species was originally described by Thomas Say in 1824 as Blaps extricata. Records indicate a distribution in Mexico.
Eleodes fusiformis
desert stink beetle, clown beetle
Eleodes fusiformis is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1858. As a member of the genus Eleodes, it shares the characteristic defensive head-standing behavior common to clown beetles. The species is found in arid regions of western North America. Like other Eleodes species, it possesses chemical defense glands that produce noxious secretions when disturbed.
Eleodes goryi
desert stink beetle
Eleodes goryi is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, a large group of darkling beetles commonly known as clown beetles due to their defensive head-stand posture. The species was described by Solier in 1848 and is recorded from Mexico.
Eleodes halli
Eleodes halli is a species of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) in the genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles. The genus is characterized by defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. Species within this genus are often large, conspicuous beetles of arid and semi-arid regions, with several exhibiting Batesian mimicry of tiger beetles. Eleodes halli was described by Blaisdell in 1941.
Eleodes hirsuta
Hairy Stink Beetle, Hairy Eleodes
Eleodes hirsuta is a large darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) native to western North America, recognized by its conspicuously hairy body and defensive chemical-secreting behavior. The species belongs to the 'clown beetle' group, known for their characteristic head-stand posture when threatened. Adults are primarily nocturnal and active during warmer months in arid and semi-arid grassland habitats.
Eleodes humeralis
Eleodes humeralis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1857. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or desert stink beetles, which are characterized by their defensive posture of standing on their head and raising their abdomen when disturbed. The species name refers to the humeral (shoulder) region of the elytra. Records indicate it occurs in western North America, including British Columbia, Canada.
Eleodes knullorum
Eleodes knullorum is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Triplehorn in 1971. It belongs to the diverse genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or desert stink beetles. Records indicate this species occurs in Mexico. As with many Eleodes species, it likely exhibits the defensive head-stand behavior characteristic of the genus when disturbed.
Eleodes longipilosa
Eleodes longipilosa is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Horn in 1891. The species belongs to the large genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, which are characterized by their defensive head-stand posture when threatened. Specific ecological and behavioral details for E. longipilosa remain poorly documented in published literature. The species name 'longipilosa' suggests long pilosity (hairiness), though this characteristic has not been explicitly described in available sources.
Eleodes novoverrucula
Eleodes novoverrucula is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Boddy in 1957. The genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, is characterized by defensive behaviors including the distinctive "head stand" posture when disturbed. This species belongs to a large genus of primarily North American desert and prairie beetles. Specific morphological and behavioral details for E. novoverrucula remain poorly documented in published literature.
Eleodes nunenmacheri
Eleodes nunenmacheri is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, which are characterized by their defensive head-stand posture. The species was described by Blaisdell in 1918. Very little specific information is available for this particular species compared to more frequently encountered Eleodes species.
Eleodes obscura glabriuscula
Eleodes obscura glabriuscula is a subspecies of the widespread darkling beetle Eleodes obscura, distinguished by its relatively smoother (less setose) elytral surface compared to the nominate subspecies. As a member of the Eleodes subgenus Eleodes, it exhibits the characteristic defensive head-stand posture typical of clown beetles when threatened. The subspecies occurs in western North America and shares the general habitat preferences of E. obscura, favoring arid and semi-arid environments.
Eleodes parowana
Eleodes parowana is a species of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) described by Blaisdell in 1925. The genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, is characterized by defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. Species within this genus are primarily nocturnal and inhabit arid and semi-arid regions of North America. E. parowana is one of numerous Eleodes species found in western North American deserts and grasslands.
Eleodes parvicollis
Eleodes parvicollis is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Eschscholtz in 1829. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles, which are recognized for their distinctive defensive head-stand behavior. The species is one of numerous Eleodes species found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Specific ecological and behavioral details for E. parvicollis remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Eleodes patulicollis
Eleodes patulicollis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Blaisdell in 1932. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, which are characterized by their defensive head-stand posture when disturbed. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging group within Eleodes where morphological similarity among species requires careful examination of pronotal and elytral characters for accurate identification. Available occurrence records are sparse, with limited observational data documented in biodiversity databases.
Eleodes pedinoides
clown beetle
Eleodes pedinoides is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to Mexico. Like other members of the genus Eleodes, it exhibits the defensive 'headstand' behavior characteristic of clown beetles, raising its abdomen when disturbed to release defensive secretions. The species is closely related to E. suturalis and E. hispilabris, with which it shares general body form and dark coloration. Available information on this species is limited compared to its better-known North American congeners.
Eleodes rileyi
Riley's clown beetle
Eleodes rileyi is a species of clown beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, which contains numerous species of darkling beetles commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles due to their defensive head-standing behavior. The species was described by Casey in 1891. Like other members of the genus, it is presumed to exhibit the characteristic defensive posture of raising its abdomen and standing on its head when disturbed, though specific behavioral documentation for this species is limited in the provided sources.