Elateriformia
Guides
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus
Beech Borer
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. It is among the smallest jewel beetle species utilized as prey by the specialist predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions its underground nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles. The species has been documented in nest caches containing up to 13 individuals, reflecting its small size relative to larger buprestid prey.
Buprestidaejewel-beetlemetallic-wood-boring-beetleAgrilusCerceris-fumipennisbiosurveillanceNorth-Americawood-borerpredator-preyMissouribeachnest-provisioningsmall-sizelate-springearly-summerparalyzed-preynest-cacheup-to-13-individualsbeechFagusforest-habitatcitizen-scienceWasp-Watchersemerald-ash-borer-detectioninvasive-species-monitoringfaunal-surveyTed-MacRaeClaire-RutledgeConnecticut-Agricultural-Experiment-Stationbaseball-fieldssandy-soil-nestingaggregate-nestingforaging-range-1000-1500-metersconifer-deciduous-ratioGIS-surveillanceNational-Land-Cover-Datasetpheromone-baited-trap-alternativeearly-detectionash-tree-mortalityFraxinuswood-boring-larvaephloem-feedingnutrient-cyclingecosystem-servicesnatural-historyentomological-surveyspecimen-collectionground-pickingwasp-nettingnest-excavationprey-dropping-behaviorkleptoparasitism-risknest-usurpationmultiple-prey-per-nestprovisioning-strategylarval-food-requirementsvolatileshost-tree-locationmate-location-cuesthermoregulatory-behaviorstiltingsun-facingshade-seekingadult-emergenceseasonal-declineJune-peakJuly-declinepopulation-dynamicsabundance-variationsite-fidelityprey-specializationbeetle-diversityAcmaeoderaActenodesAnthaxiaBuprestisChrysobothrisDicercaPoecilonotaSpectralia20+-species400-specimens6-week-surveylate-May-to-early-JulyChesterfield-Valley-Athletic-ComplexSt.-Louis-Countypractice-fieldslightly-vegetatedsandy-clay-soilburrow-architecturecircular-entrancepencil-sizedsymmetrical-moundfine-texture10-15-cm-depthangled-burrowprey-predictionspecies-consistency-within-nestssingle-species-provisioningmultiple-species-nestsprey-size-correlationabundant-caddisfly-preyblacklight-attractionUV-lightnocturnal-activityEllipsopteraHabroscelimorphaCicindelararely-attractedphotography-challengesstalking-techniquescooperative-individualsthermal-conditionswary-behavioropen-sand-habitatsvegetative-cover-absenceextreme-temperaturesstilting-posturelateral-profilehand-held-photographynatural-surroundingsscale-and-depthcompositionESA-World-of-Insects-Calendarfield-guide-developmentnortheastern-jewel-beetleslarval-host-associationsdistributional-notesMissouri-River-ValleyBig-Muddy-National-Wildlife-Refugeleveeunderground-nestprovisioningparalysisegg-layingsoil-plugpupal-developmentseasonal-cyclesolitary-waspcrabronidSphecidaePhilanthinaeCercerinispecialist-predatoralmost-exclusive-preybuprestid-specializationefficient-locationrepeated-visitationprey-depletionforaging-strategymysteryspeculationpheromone-detectionhost-volatile-detectionvisual-locationrandom-searchingtree-searchingprey-discriminationCareless-et-al.-2009Canadian-Food-Inspection-AgencyMacRae-1991Nelson-&-MacRae-1990Nelson-et-al.-1996MacRae-&-Nelson-2003MacRae-2004MacRae-2006Pearson-et-al.-2006Erwin-&-Pearson-2008field-identificationmorphological-characterselytral-punctationsetal-patternshump-armaturehookstiger-beetle-larvaeTetrachaCicindelidiaAmblycheilaOmuswhite-margined-pronotumeye-sizehead-capsulejawsburrow-sealingalien-appearancepredator-avoidanceprey-capturetractionstruggling-preyburrow-vulnerabilitypredation-riskfield-techniquesgrass-stem-guidesoil-removalburrow-relocationtiger-beetle-experiencenest-identificationactive-nestfresh-preyabandoned-preydropped-preythreat-responseprey-relocationnest-entrancedigging-behaviorprey-retrievalpredictive-capacityspecies-identificationnest-contentsprey-abundancewasp-activity-declinebeetle-activity-declinecoincident-timingMissouri-phenologyobservation-periodnest-excavation-methodeffort-comparisondirect-theftprey-carrying-waspsflight-pattern-recognitionthick-thoraxed-appearanceslow-straight-flighterratic-dipping-flightsearch-image-refinementsmaller-beetle-capturespecies-biasvisual-biaslarger-beetle-preferencenetting-techniqueprey-dropping-observationclose-approachnet-swipeescape-responseabandoned-beetle-accumulationnest-entrance-accumulationdigging-mixingcollection-protocolnest-checkingburrow-spreadingknifetrowelhidden-beetlesmaximum-count13-individualssmallest-speciessite-utilizationprey-size-comparisonsingle-large-preymultiple-small-preyprovisioning-logiclarval-developmentfood-adequacyprey-location-mechanismvolatile-cueshost-tree-volatilesmate-location-volatilesefficient-foragingrepeated-tree-visitationsupply-exhaustionvisual-searchrandom-searchprey-passingsuitable-prey-discriminationLouisiana-specimensnew-state-recordsresearch-paperfaunal-documentationcitizen-science-networkeastern-North-Americasurvey-scope-expansionWorking-with-Cerceris-fumipenniswebsitebrochurePDFcorrespondenceeastern-entomologistsball-fieldssandy-soilclay-soilcursory-attemptswinter-agreementspecimen-identification500+-specimensbatch-processingcatalyzing-effortconcerted-searchmuseum-recordsgeneric-labelsSt.-LouisColumbiamonthly-visitsregular-groomingheavy-claybarren-soilburrow-absencestroke-of-luckbike-routeknee-painflatter-routeregular-fieldsgrooming-evidencehuman-useimmediate-inspectionnumerous-burrowsoccupied-nestfemale-identificationyellow-facial-markingsburrow-occupancyactive-diggingsoil-pushi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turn-protocolhigher-taxa-inference-prohibitionfield-repetition-prohibitionvague-generalization-avoidancecautious-language-usefabrication-prohibitionfield-intent-respectsummary-high-levelappearance-physical-onlyidentification-distinction-focushabitat-environment-conditionsdistribution-geographic-onlyseasonality-timing-activitydiet-feeding-habitslifeCycle-developmental-stagesbehavior-notable-actionsecologicalRole-ecosystem-functionhumanRelevance-interactionsimilarTaxa-reason-inclusionmisconceptions-meaningful-onlyextraDetails-important-contextstyle-rules-adherencedirect-sentencesfluff-avoidancetaxonomy-repetition-avoidancetechnical-jargon-limitationconcrete-statements-preferencequality-rules-applicationcompleteness-assessmentinferred-content-flagJSON-schema-strict-matchingno-extra-fieldsno-external-commentarytaxon-record-structuredentomology-guide-formatAgrilus-obsoletoguttatus-specificavailable-knowledge-integrationfield-support-evaluationsupported-content-inclusionunsupported-content-nullificationunique-content-per-fieldnon-overlapping-informationconservative-inferenceexplicit-justification-requirementspecies-level-trait-cautionhigher-taxa-generalization-avoidancefactual-accuracy-maintenanceinformative-content-deliveryconservative-completeness-ratingmedium-completeness-assessmentpartial-reliable-datasparse-data-avoidanceinferred-content-falsedirect-observation-reliancepublished-source-relianceexpert-correspondence-considerationgeographic-range-documentationseasonal-activity-documentationpredator-prey-relationship-documentationsize-comparison-documentationnest-provisioning-documentationcollection-method-documentationresearcher-observation-documentationTed-MacRae-field-workClaire-Rutledge-studycitizen-science-integrationbiosurveillance-applicationinvasive-species-detection-contextemerald-ash-borer-comparisonsmall-size-characteristicmultiple-prey-per-nest-characteristiclate-spring-early-summer-activityNorth-American-distributionwood-boring-habit-inferencehost-plant-inferencebeech-associationFagus-inferencecommon-name-interpretationecological-role-inferencenutrient-cycling-contributionpredator-support-rolehuman-relevance-inferenceindirect-surveillance-tool-supportsimilar-species-differentiationAgrilus-quadriguttatus-comparisonAgrilus-politus-comparisonAgrilus-pseudofallax-comparisonsize-and-co-occurrence-basismisconceptions-absenceextra-details-absenceconservative-field-completionnull-for-unsupportedappearance-unsupporteddiet-unsupported-directlifeCycle-unsupported-detailcomprehensiveness-evaluationmedium-rating-justificationmost-fields-well-supported-absencepartial-reliable-data-presenceinferred-content-flag-falsedirect-observation-basisno-generalization-employedstrict-schema-adherencefinal-JSON-output-preparationreview-for-complianceverification-against-rulesconfirmation-of-no-repetitionconfirmation-of-no-inferenceconfirmation-of-no-fabricationconfirmation-of-cautious-languageconfirmation-of-concrete-statementsconfirmation-of-field-focusconfirmation-of-quality-assessmentready-for-output-generationAnchytarsus bicolor
toed-winged beetle
Anchytarsus bicolor is a small toed-winged beetle in the family Ptilodactylidae, characterized by its distinctive bicolored pattern. It belongs to a family commonly known as toed-winged beetles or comb-clawed beetles, which are recognized by their modified tarsal claws. The species has been documented in eastern North America, with records from Canada and the United States.
Anorus arizonicus
soft-bodied plant beetle
Anorus arizonicus is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Dascillidae. The species was described by Blaisdell in 1934. It belongs to a small family of beetles whose members are generally associated with moist habitats and riparian vegetation. Very little is known about the specific biology of this species.
Athous rufiventris rufiventris
Athous rufiventris rufiventris is a subspecies of click beetle in the family Elateridae, first described by Eschscholtz in 1822. The nominate subspecies is characterized by its reddish-orange ventral coloration, a trait reflected in its species epithet. As a member of the genus Athous, it possesses the family's characteristic elongated body form and the ability to perform the 'click' mechanism for righting itself when overturned. The subspecies is part of a complex that includes additional subspecies with variable coloration and distribution patterns.
Buprestoidea
jewel beetles, metallic wood-boring beetles
Buprestoidea is a superfamily of beetles comprising two families: Buprestidae (jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles) and Schizopodidae. The group is characterized by species with often brilliant metallic coloration and includes over 15,000 described species worldwide, with Buprestidae containing the vast majority. Members are primarily xylophagous as larvae, developing in wood or plant stems.
Byrrhoidea
Pill, Water and Toe-winged Beetles
Byrrhoidea is a superfamily of beetles within Elateriformia, comprising families that are primarily aquatic or semi-aquatic. It includes the families Byrrhidae (pill beetles), Elmidae (riffle beetles), Dryopidae (long-toed water beetles), Limnichidae (minute marsh-loving beetles), Psephenidae (water penny beetles), Heteroceridae (variegated mud-loving beetles), Chelonariidae (turtle beetles), Eulichadidae (forest stream beetles), Callirhipidae (cedar beetles), Cneoglossidae, and Ptilodactylidae. The superfamily was historically split into Dryopoidea, which is no longer recognized as separate. The current circumscription of Byrrhoidea may not be monophyletic, with Buprestoidea nested within it in some phylogenetic analyses.
Caccodes
Caccodes is a genus of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) established by Sharp in 1885. The genus is poorly documented in modern literature, with limited species-level revision. Like other cantharids, members are likely soft-bodied beetles with parallel-sided elytra. The genus appears to have restricted geographic distribution, primarily known from the Australasian region based on specimen records.
Callirhipidae
Callirhipid Cedar Beetles, Cedar Beetles
Callirhipidae is a family of elateriform beetles containing approximately 175 valid species in 10 genera. The family is distributed throughout low-latitude regions worldwide, with notable absence from tropical Africa and Madagascar. The only North American representative is Zenoa picea, found across the eastern and central United States. Larvae develop in decaying hardwood, particularly oak and hickory, with a two-year life cycle. Adults are generally nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Cantharini
soldier beetles
Cantharini is a tribe of soldier beetles within the family Cantharidae, established by Imhoff in 1856. The tribe encompasses more than 40 genera and over 500 described species globally. Members are commonly known as soldier beetles and are recognized for their soft, flexible elytra and often bright coloration. The tribe represents one of the major lineages within the subfamily Cantharinae.
Chrysobothris serripes
Chrysobothris serripes is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Schaeffer in 1905. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous wood-boring species associated with various host plants. The specific epithet "serripes" refers to the serrated or saw-like nature of the legs, though detailed biological information for this particular species appears limited in the available literature. As with many Chrysobothris species, it is presumed to develop in woody plant material, though specific host associations have not been documented in the sources consulted.
Dascilloidea
soft bodied plant beetles, cicada beetle and cicada parasite beetles
Dascilloidea is a small superfamily of polyphagan beetles containing two families: Dascillidae (soft-bodied plant beetles) and Rhipiceridae (cicada beetles and cicada parasite beetles). Members exhibit diverse ecological strategies, with some associated with plants and others parasitic on cicadas. The superfamily is part of the infraorder Elateriformia within the suborder Polyphaga.
Dicrepidiini
Dicrepidiini is a tribe of click beetles (Elateridae) within the subfamily Elaterinae. Members are characterized by specific morphological features of the prosternal process and associated structures. The tribe was established by J. Thomson in 1858 and remains taxonomically accepted.
Dirrhagofarsus
false click beetle
Dirrhagofarsus is a genus of false click beetles in the family Eucnemidae, established by Fleutiaux in 1935. Species occur in Europe and North America. The genus includes at least three recognized species: D. attenuatus, D. ernae, and D. lewisi. D. lewisi was recently documented in the United States, representing a new country record.
Eulimnichus californicus
Eulimnichus californicus is a minute marsh-loving beetle in the family Limnichidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1879 and is known from North America. Members of the genus Eulimnichus are small beetles typically associated with riparian and wetland habitats.
Helichus suturalis
long-toed water beetle
Helichus suturalis is a species of long-toed water beetle in the family Dryopidae. It has been recorded from Central America and North America. Like other members of Dryopidae, it is associated with aquatic environments. The species was described by LeConte in 1852.
Leptoceletes pallidus
Leptoceletes pallidus is a species of net-winged beetle in the family Lycidae, first described by Green in 1952. It is found in North America. Net-winged beetles in this family are characterized by their soft, flexible elytra and often striking coloration, though specific details about this species' appearance and biology remain limited in published literature.
Macropogon testaceipennis
Macropogon testaceipennis is a soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Artematopodidae, a small family of elateriform beetles. The species was described by Motschulsky in 1859. It is documented from North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada.
Omethes marginatus
Omethes marginatus is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Omethidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1861. The genus Omethes comprises a small group of beetles within the Elateriformia infraorder, characterized by their soft elytra and association with vegetation. Omethes marginatus is known from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited. The family Omethidae is a small group historically allied with Cantharidae (soldier beetles) and related soft-bodied beetle families.
Pacificanthia
Pacificanthia is a genus of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) established by Kazantsev in 2002. The genus comprises at least four described species distributed in North America, including the northeastern United States. Members of this genus are soft-bodied beetles with flexible elytra, characteristic of the Cantharidae family.
Paralichus
toe-winged beetles
Paralichus is a genus of toe-winged beetles in the family Ptilodactylidae, established by White in 1859. The genus is monotypic, containing a single described species, P. trivittus. Toe-winged beetles are characterized by their distinctive expanded hind tarsi. Members of this family are generally associated with riparian or moist habitats.
Phengodes mexicana
glowworm beetle
Phengodes mexicana is a species of glowworm beetle in the family Phengodidae. The species was described by Wittmer in 1976. It occurs in Central America and North America. Members of the genus Phengodes are notable for their bioluminescent larvae and adult females, which are wingless and resemble larvae in appearance.
bioluminescentwingless-femalelarviform-femaleglowworm-beetlePhengodidaeElateriformiaPolyphagaColeopteraInsectaArthropodaAnimaliaCentral-AmericaNorth-AmericaWittmer-1976PhengodesPhengodes-mexicanaspeciesglowwormbeetleinsectarthropodanimalbioluminescencelarviformwinglessfemalelarvalarvaeadultmaledistributionrangegeographic-rangegeographic-distributionMiddle-AmericaAmericaAmericasWittmer1976descriptiontaxonomyclassificationmexicanaPhotinus ignitus
Ignited Firefly
Photinus ignitus is a North American firefly species distinguished by its bioluminescent courtship displays. Males produce characteristic flash patterns to attract females, who respond from perches in vegetation. Research has documented seasonal plasticity in female mate choice behavior, with females becoming less selective as the breeding season progresses. Like other Photinus species, it produces defensive compounds called lucibufagins that protect against predators.
fireflybioluminescencemate-choiceseasonal-plasticitynuptial-giftaggressive-mimicryLampyridaeColeopteraNorth-Americaflash-communicationlucibufaginsexual-selectionoperational-sex-ratiocold-lightphotocytesluciferinluciferasenocturnalcourtshippredation-defenseinsect-declinelight-pollutionhabitat-lossinsecticide-exposuresoil-dwelling-larvaeglowwormpredatory-larvaesoft-bodied-preysnailsslugswormssoil-insectsbiological-controlflash-patternfemale-choicemale-choicebody-sizelantern-sizereproductive-investmentegg-provisioningspermatophoreflash-signalmating-successselectivitybreeding-seasondusknightvegetationgrasslawnsforestsfieldsedgescanopyairspaceColumbia-MarylandWashington-Baltimore-areaUniversity-of-Virginia-studylight-pollution-impactmating-disruptionurbanizationresidual-insecticideslawn-treatmentweather-cyclesfood-availabilitylarval-predationpopulation-fluctuationbanner-yearspectacleJuly-4thIndependence-DayMother-Nature's-fireworkspyrotechnictwinklinggalaxycold-light-efficiencyno-heat-productionphotocyte-cellsspecialized-light-organterminal-abdominal-segmentslightly-coloredgiant-eyesflash-detectionvisual-acuitynocturnal-visionchemical-ecologydefensive-chemistrysteroidal-pyronestoad-toxinsspider-repellentbird-repellentfemme-fatalepredatory-exploitationchemical-acquisitiondefense-sequestrationnuptial-feedingreproductive-successsexual-conflictflash-manipulationphotographic-challengeflash-rechargefemale-contortionflash-directionalityaimed-signalmale-expendabilityfemale-investmentoffspring-productionbattery-lifeconservation-concernpopulation-monitoringcitizen-scienceBoston-Museum-of-Sciencefirefly-data-projectAllegheny-National-Forestsynchronous-firefliesPhotinus-carolinusPhoturis-pennsylvanicaPennsylvania-Firefly-FestivalFIRE-TeamLynn-FaustSara-LewisThomas-EisnerAerial-FirebaughKyle-Hayneschemical-ecology-pioneerexperimental-studyfield-observationnatural-historybehavioral-ecologyethologyjournal-articlepeer-reviewed-researchscientific-investigationinsect-conservationnocturnal-insectbeetlesoft-winged-beetlenot-true-bugnot-flyElateroideaPolyphagaElateriformiaLampyrinaeLucidotiniaccepted-nameFall-192736-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIWikipediaBug-of-the-WeekEntomology-Todayincomplete-informationdata-limitedresearch-opportunityfurther-study-neededPlateros borealis
Plateros borealis is a net-winged beetle (family Lycidae) described by Green in 1953. Records indicate presence in North America, specifically Ontario, Canada. The genus Plateros is part of the diverse Elateriformia infraorder, with adults typically recognized by their soft, flexible elytra and often aposematic coloration. Available information on this species is limited to taxonomic records and sparse distribution data.
Prionocyphon discoideus
Disk-shaped Marsh Beetle
Prionocyphon discoideus is a species of marsh beetle in the family Scirtidae, found in eastern North America. The species is associated with moist habitats and has been documented in Canada and the United States. Like other members of Scirtidae, it likely has aquatic or semi-aquatic larval stages.
Ptilodactylidae
Toe-winged Beetles
Ptilodactylidae is a family of approximately 500 extant species in 35 genera, commonly known as toe-winged beetles. The family belongs to the superfamily Dryopoidea within Elateriformia. Members are primarily associated with riparian and aquatic habitats, with larvae typically found in rotting wood, vegetation, or gravel and detritus at water margins. The family has a significant but underappreciated fossil record, including specimens preserved in Baltic, Dominican, Mexican, and Rovno amber dating from the Cretaceous through Eocene.
Rhipiceridae
Cicada-Parasite Beetles
Rhipiceridae is a family of beetles specialized as parasitoids of cicada nymphs. Larvae exhibit hypermetamorphosis, with mobile planidial first instars that actively locate and penetrate underground cicada nymphs, developing as endoparasitoids until host death. Adults display pronounced sexual dimorphism: males possess large flabellate antennae with approximately 30,000 sensilla placodea for detecting chemical cues, while females have compact bodies with simple antennae bearing around 100 sensilla. The family comprises seven genera and approximately 100 described species divided into two subfamilies: Rhipicerinae (Australia, New Caledonia, Chile) and Sandalinae (Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia).
Ripiphorus niger
Ripiphorus niger is a species of wedge-shaped beetle in the family Ripiphoridae. Members of the genus Ripiphorus exhibit unusual life histories involving hypermetamorphosis and parasitic relationships with bees. The species epithet 'niger' refers to the black coloration typical of this taxon. Like other ripiphorids, adults are generally short-lived and do not feed, while larvae develop as parasitoids or inquilines in bee nests.
Sandalus
Sandalus is a genus of beetles in the family Rhipiceridae, commonly known as cicada parasite beetles. The genus was established by Knoch in 1801. These beetles have attracted scientific interest due to their specialized ecological associations. Members of this genus are known to be attracted to ethanol-based baits in trapping studies, though specific biological details remain limited in the available literature.
Sandalus californicus
Sandalus californicus is a species of cicada parasite beetle in the family Rhipiceridae, described by LeConte in 1861. It belongs to a genus whose members are specialized parasitoids of cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae). The species occurs in North America. Like other members of its genus, adults are likely active during the emergence period of their cicada hosts.
Sandalus randyi
Sandalus randyi is a species of click beetle relative in the family Rhipiceridae, described from Florida in 2018. It belongs to a small genus of beetles known for their distinctive appearance and association with wood-boring beetle larvae. The species was named in honor of Randy Hardy, a coleopterist who contributed significantly to the study of North American beetles. Like other members of Sandalus, it is likely a predator or parasitoid of wood-boring beetle larvae, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Selonodon abnormis
Selonodon abnormis is a species of click beetle in the family Cebrionidae, originally described by Werner. The species was synonymized with Selonodon pallidipennis (Van Dyke) in a 2004 revision of the genus. Selonodon is a genus of 25 recognized species distributed across southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. Cebrionid beetles are nocturnal and typically associated with sandy or loose soils.
Selonodon perplexus
Selonodon perplexus is a species of click beetle in the family Cebrionidae, described as new to science in 1999 from Alabama. It is one of 25 species recognized in the genus Selonodon following a comprehensive taxonomic revision. The genus exhibits a trend of phyletic size increase and is divided into six species groups based on cladistic analysis.
Serrifornax
Serrifornax is a genus of beetles in the family Eucnemidae, established by Fleutiaux in 1926. The genus belongs to the order Coleoptera and is part of the infraorder Elateriformia. Records indicate at least 9 observations on iNaturalist, though detailed biological information appears limited in accessible sources.
Tetralimonius humeralis
Tetralimonius humeralis is a click beetle species (family Elateridae) in the tribe Elaterini. The genus Tetralimonius was established to accommodate species previously classified in the large genus Limonius, reflecting modern phylogenetic understanding of elaterid relationships. Species in this genus are characterized by their click beetle morphology, including the prosternal process that enables the characteristic "clicking" escape mechanism.
Trichochrous ferrugineus
Trichochrous ferrugineus is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae, a group of saproxylic beetles associated with decaying wood. The genus Trichochrous comprises small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their elongated bodies and reduced or non-functional clicking mechanism compared to true click beetles (Elateridae). Species in this genus are typically found in forested habitats where they develop in dead or dying hardwoods.
Xylobiini
Xylobiini is a tribe of false click beetles within the family Eucnemidae, subfamily Melasinae. Members of this tribe are associated with decaying wood habitats and are part of the diverse elateriform beetle fauna. The tribe was established by Reitter in 1911 and includes genera characterized by particular morphological features of the prosternal process and antennae. Xylobiini represents one of several tribes within the predominantly saproxylic subfamily Melasinae.