Elateriformia

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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.
Buprestidae jewel-beetle metallic-wood-boring-beetle Agrilus Cerceris-fumipennis biosurveillance North-America wood-borer predator-prey Missouri beach nest-provisioning small-size late-spring early-summer paralyzed-prey nest-cache up-to-13-individuals beech Fagus forest-habitat citizen-science Wasp-Watchers emerald-ash-borer-detection invasive-species-monitoring faunal-survey Ted-MacRae Claire-Rutledge Connecticut-Agricultural-Experiment-Station baseball-fields sandy-soil-nesting aggregate-nesting foraging-range-1000-1500-meters conifer-deciduous-ratio GIS-surveillance National-Land-Cover-Dataset pheromone-baited-trap-alternative early-detection ash-tree-mortality Fraxinus wood-boring-larvae phloem-feeding nutrient-cycling ecosystem-services natural-history entomological-survey specimen-collection ground-picking wasp-netting nest-excavation prey-dropping-behavior kleptoparasitism-risk nest-usurpation multiple-prey-per-nest provisioning-strategy larval-food-requirements volatiles host-tree-location mate-location-cues thermoregulatory-behavior stilting sun-facing shade-seeking adult-emergence seasonal-decline June-peak July-decline population-dynamics abundance-variation site-fidelity prey-specialization beetle-diversity Acmaeodera Actenodes Anthaxia Buprestis Chrysobothris Dicerca Poecilonota Spectralia 20+-species 400-specimens 6-week-survey late-May-to-early-July Chesterfield-Valley-Athletic-Complex St.-Louis-County practice-fields lightly-vegetated sandy-clay-soil burrow-architecture circular-entrance pencil-sized symmetrical-mound fine-texture 10-15-cm-depth angled-burrow prey-prediction species-consistency-within-nests single-species-provisioning multiple-species-nests prey-size-correlation abundant-caddisfly-prey blacklight-attraction UV-light nocturnal-activity Ellipsoptera Habroscelimorpha Cicindela rarely-attracted photography-challenges stalking-techniques cooperative-individuals thermal-conditions wary-behavior open-sand-habitats vegetative-cover-absence extreme-temperatures stilting-posture lateral-profile hand-held-photography natural-surroundings scale-and-depth composition ESA-World-of-Insects-Calendar field-guide-development northeastern-jewel-beetles larval-host-associations distributional-notes Missouri-River-Valley Big-Muddy-National-Wildlife-Refuge levee underground-nest provisioning paralysis egg-laying soil-plug pupal-development seasonal-cycle solitary-wasp crabronid Sphecidae Philanthinae Cercerini specialist-predator almost-exclusive-prey buprestid-specialization efficient-location repeated-visitation prey-depletion foraging-strategy mystery speculation pheromone-detection host-volatile-detection visual-location random-searching tree-searching prey-discrimination Careless-et-al.-2009 Canadian-Food-Inspection-Agency MacRae-1991 Nelson-&-MacRae-1990 Nelson-et-al.-1996 MacRae-&-Nelson-2003 MacRae-2004 MacRae-2006 Pearson-et-al.-2006 Erwin-&-Pearson-2008 field-identification morphological-characters elytral-punctation setal-patterns hump-armature hooks tiger-beetle-larvae Tetracha Cicindelidia Amblycheila Omus white-margined-pronotum eye-size head-capsule jaws burrow-sealing alien-appearance predator-avoidance prey-capture traction struggling-prey burrow-vulnerability predation-risk field-techniques grass-stem-guide soil-removal burrow-relocation tiger-beetle-experience nest-identification active-nest fresh-prey abandoned-prey dropped-prey threat-response prey-relocation nest-entrance digging-behavior prey-retrieval predictive-capacity species-identification nest-contents prey-abundance wasp-activity-decline beetle-activity-decline coincident-timing Missouri-phenology observation-period nest-excavation-method effort-comparison direct-theft prey-carrying-wasps flight-pattern-recognition thick-thoraxed-appearance slow-straight-flight erratic-dipping-flight search-image-refinement smaller-beetle-capture species-bias visual-bias larger-beetle-preference netting-technique prey-dropping-observation close-approach net-swipe escape-response abandoned-beetle-accumulation nest-entrance-accumulation digging-mixing collection-protocol nest-checking burrow-spreading knife trowel hidden-beetles maximum-count 13-individuals smallest-species site-utilization prey-size-comparison single-large-prey multiple-small-prey provisioning-logic larval-development food-adequacy prey-location-mechanism volatile-cues host-tree-volatiles mate-location-volatiles efficient-foraging repeated-tree-visitation supply-exhaustion visual-search random-search prey-passing suitable-prey-discrimination Louisiana-specimens new-state-records research-paper faunal-documentation citizen-science-network eastern-North-America survey-scope-expansion Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis website brochure PDF correspondence eastern-entomologists ball-fields sandy-soil clay-soil cursory-attempts winter-agreement specimen-identification 500+-specimens batch-processing catalyzing-effort concerted-search museum-records generic-labels St.-Louis Columbia monthly-visits regular-grooming heavy-clay barren-soil burrow-absence stroke-of-luck bike-route knee-pain flatter-route regular-fields grooming-evidence human-use immediate-inspection numerous-burrows occupied-nest female-identification yellow-facial-markings burrow-occupancy active-digging soil-pushing flight-observation nest-departure nest-return nest-searching copula-pairs prey-absence puzzlement ground-confirmation subsequent-visits productive-method nest-population field-preference nest-clustering individual-density prize-specimens abundant-prey caddisfly-bounty UV-light-attraction feeding-behavior mandible-use maxilla-use digestive-juice-maceration juicy-pulp-consumption antennal-positioning feeding-adaptation prey-damage-prevention non-feeding-posture forward-antennae coaxing-technique stilting-absence sun-facing-absence shade-seeking-absence iconic-pose stalking-skill hot-day-requirement photographic-improvement previous-frustration distance-limitation distant-shot bronzed-tiger-beetle Cicindela-repanda common-species waterway-association habitat-infidelity soil-type-flexibility sand mud concrete larval-burrow-absence unexpected-observation population-building mid-August-peak overnight-burrow caddisfly-predation tooth-mandibles sickle-shaped prey-grabbing pulp-sucking antennal-retraction head-pronotum-positioning male-identification natural-setting charismatic-pose thermal-behavior photographic-goal Cicindela-hirticollis-shelfordi Shelford's-Hairy-necked-Tiger-Beetle stocky-build distinct-white-markings coppery-cast G-shaped-humeral-lunule C-shaped-humeral-lunule diagnostic-character lateral-profile-comparison big-river-specialty Ellipsoptera-cuprascens Coppery-Tiger-Beetle night-photography cooler-temperatures distraction-effect approachability flash-head-lamp focusing-difficulty automatic-lamp-shutoff composition-abortion hot-sand-avoidance exasperation prey-transfixion stupefaction easy-capture coarse-dense-punctures shinier-surface coppery-color rounded-elytral-apices female-distinction pointed-elytral-suture sexual-dimorphism labrum-modification mandible-modification mating-grasp pronotum-contour purchase-optimization Cape-Rock-Park sandbar-habitat Cylindera-cursitans Antlike-Tiger-Beetle search-failure rocky-embankment habitat-potential specialty-species big-river-habitats Mississippi-River Missouri-River predictable-abundance slight-difference-detection white-marking-distinctness thermal-extreme mid-morning-arrival open-space blazing-sun extreme-activity wariness barren-sandbar debris-absence shelter-absence corral-failure stubborn-persistence stalking-failure flight-response running-behavior frame-settling-impossibility front-approach intermittent-pose thermal-regulation stilting-sun-facing best-attempt composition-satisfaction closeness-desire Cicindela-repanda-similarity Cicindela-hirticollis-association wet-sand-exclusivity gestalt-development husky-build bold-markings diagnostic-certainty humeral-lunule-shape posterior-transverse anterior-angle inner-edge-curl comparative-photography trick-availability terrarium-avoidance night-collection UV-attraction Ellipsoptera-specialization coastal-fluviatile-sand Steward-Towhead New-Madrid-County previous-sighting number-abundance sheet-guarantee ground-milling thermal-overdrive-absence cool-temperature prey-abundance-distraction flash-lamp-challenge automatic-shutoff shot-abortion minor-inconvenience 12-foot-blast hot-sand-exasperation ID-Challenge-#19 commonality-deduction jewel-beetle-family genus-identification early-bird-points Cerceris-fumipennis-connection point-award species-naming Agrilaxia-misidentification A.-obsoletoguttatus-correction reared-speculation wood-source-diversity other-people-collection gift-trade-ID July-4th-coincidence early-June-actuality sphecoid-wasp-hunting nest-jackpot Missouri-origin chitin-identification 2,171-pieces salicaceous-host Salix Populus Quercus diversity same-nest-possibility harvesting-method wasp-adult-theft burrow-harvest citizen-science-program emerald-ash-borer-surveillance GIS-integration foraging-range-definition 1000-1500-meter-correlation surveillance-method-improvement municipal-tree-protection financial-impact liability-reduction Oregon-Pacific-Coast-detection western-North-America-limitation pheromone-trap-reliance substitute-absence 36-states 5-Canadian-provinces 8-billion-ash-trees 30-meter-trap-reach stealth-beetle larval-gallery phloem-destruction tree-death canopy-invisibility first-sign-mortality Indiana-origin Connecticut-arrival hair-on-fire running-around prediction-fulfillment financial-havoc management-key early-infestation-location predatory-wasp-method baseball-field-nesting aggregate-nester non-stinging packed-sand-preference access-simplicity 37-nest-sites 7-year-study 100-beetle-minimum hunting-method gathering-method net-capture prey-dropping freak-out-response immobilized-beetle scouring-method predator-disturbance kid-disturbance first-base-running deciduous-conifer-grouping 500-3500-meter-calculation proportion-correlation highest-correlation effective-range significant-increase municipal-application park-planting street-tree 20-percent-composition time-provision money-set-aside pesticide-protection selective-removal cash-strapped-decision sudden-destruction exponential-growth invisibility-comprehension Fort-Wayne-Indiana 9000-dead-trees 2011-2012 arborist-shortage straight-grained-wood baseball-bat tool-handle brittle-death limb-dropping falling-hazard 15-Michigan-deaths Pacific-Coast-arrival western-survey-limitation Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America May-publication Paige-Embry freelance-science-writer Seattle Our-Native-Bees author iNaturalist falloon-photo Johnny-N.-Dell-photo Bugwood.org Shari-Wasp-Watcher Southington-Connecticut Litchfield-detection 2014-first-detection button-hat group-photo abandoned-EAB nest-entrance-abandonment assorted-beetles Actenodes-acornis Actenodes-simi Phaenops-fulvoguttatus Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-series bottom-row-uniformity top-row-diversity prey-size-sorting small-species-aggregation large-species-singularity developmental-nutrition larval-food-security volatile-speculation pheromone-hypothesis host-volatile-hypothesis mate-location-hypothesis efficiency-argument visual-search-argument random-search-argument prey-discrimination-argument Careless-2009-citation 16-page-brochure Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-1 Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-2 20-species Haplanthaxia Knulliobuprestis two-thirds-ground-picked one-third-stolen prey-dropping-explanation prey-abandonment search-relocation-absence new-beetle-search net-swipe-observation drop-and-fly vial-collection bulk-ground-location nest-entrance-concentration knife-trowel-use hidden-beetle-collection 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus-maximum digging-speculation entrance-leaving burrow-digging retrieval-return witness-absence carrying-observation direct-burrow-drop entrance-prediction species-consistency below-ground-correlation field-ball several-dozen-nests third-method nest-digging late-June early-July beetle-number-drop wasp-activity-drop seasonal-coincidence Missouri-decline-observation burrow-excavation activity-assessment fresh-prey-likelihood other-insect-burrows confusion-possibility C.-fumipennis-burrow perfectly-circular C.-bicornis weevil-specialist nearly-identical slightly-larger inconsistent-character weevil-presence buprestid-absence faster-flight more-powerful difficult-capture buprestid-presence-certainty white-plastic-tag golf-tee-security hole-rotation entrance-coverage leaving-allowance return-prevention tag-rotation-idea waspless-observation 20-30-minute-return Bembix-americana sand-wasp angle-entrance asymmetric-diggings larger-entrance sandy-portion direct-association-absence vicinity-observation Sand-Prairie-Conservation-Area Cicindelidia-punctulata Punctured-Tiger-Beetle diggings-absence rain-wind-wash D-shape-entrance jaw-resting beveling-distinctiveness C.-fumipennis-absence soil-careful-removal burrow-path-preservation stem-insertion depth-maximization soil-prying hole-coverage relocation-facilitation side-angle leveling-bottom Buprestis-rufipes-observation waspless-flight ground-B.-rufipes expected-bottom-finding Madison-MacRae-photo Agrilus-quadriguttatus-cache 7-individuals small-prey large-prey-comparison multiple-small single-large 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus smallest-site-species 5-nest-diversity single-date species-number-variation B.-rufipes-singularity A.-quadriguttatus-A.-obsoletoguttatus-mix A.-obsoletoguttatus-dominance Poecilonota-cyanipes A.-pseudofallax developmental-completion prey-location-mystery specialization-mystery host-volatile mate-volatile Careless-2009 CFA-citation nest-litter Neochlamisus east-central-Missouri case-bearing-leaf-beetles Chrysomelidae bright-coppery-coloration N.-platani sycamore-association Platanus-occidentalis 11-surface-beetles buprestid-typicality same-species underground-cache grass-stem-insertion buzzing-indication female-presence three-yellow-facial-markings seven-beetles non-buprestid-host-record Careless-website H.-bebbiana leaf-beetle weevil several-hundred-observations single-non-buprestid Louisiana-batch winter-identification nice-series rare-unseen paper-progress collection-catalysis concerted-Missouri-effort museum-specimen generic-label May-visits clay-soil barren-burrow-absence end-of-May-luck bike-route-change Chesterfield-Valley practice-field-row levee-adjacency female-sitting yellow-facial-marking return-flight prize-B.-rufipes feeding-observation maceration non-feeding-forward-antenna male-natural-setting thermal-behavior-absence soil-flexibility larval-burrow-concrete-absence blacklight-unexpectedness sickle-shape C.-hirticollis-shelfordi C-shaped-comparison coarse-dense rounded-female-apices pointed-suture-comparison labrum-mandible-modification slight-difference C.-repanda-similarity C.-hirticollis-association surveillance-improvement ash-mortality GBIF-exact-match Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Australasia Nearctic Neotropic Indomalaya Palearctic Afrotropic Oceania North-America-present New-Brunswick Ontario iNaturalist-Beech-Borer 382-observations Wikipedia-metallic-wood-boring-beetle North-America-found Catalogue-of-Life-accepted Gory-1841 Eukaryota Hexapoda Polyphaga Elateriformia Buprestoidea NCBI-Metazoa beetles-group GBIF-distribution-records global-presence regional-presence Canadian-provincial-records observation-count common-name-verification taxonomic-authority classification-hierarchy subfamily tribe specific-epithet subspecies-epithet-null canonical-name scientific-name authorship rank status match-type kingdom phylum class order family genus species content-generation factual-correctness-priority conservative-approach clarity-priority usefulness-priority critical-rules-adherence information-support-requirement null-return-protocol higher-taxa-inference-prohibition field-repetition-prohibition vague-generalization-avoidance cautious-language-use fabrication-prohibition field-intent-respect summary-high-level appearance-physical-only identification-distinction-focus habitat-environment-conditions distribution-geographic-only seasonality-timing-activity diet-feeding-habits lifeCycle-developmental-stages behavior-notable-actions ecologicalRole-ecosystem-function humanRelevance-interaction similarTaxa-reason-inclusion misconceptions-meaningful-only extraDetails-important-context style-rules-adherence direct-sentences fluff-avoidance taxonomy-repetition-avoidance technical-jargon-limitation concrete-statements-preference quality-rules-application completeness-assessment inferred-content-flag JSON-schema-strict-matching no-extra-fields no-external-commentary taxon-record-structured entomology-guide-format Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-specific available-knowledge-integration field-support-evaluation supported-content-inclusion unsupported-content-nullification unique-content-per-field non-overlapping-information conservative-inference explicit-justification-requirement species-level-trait-caution higher-taxa-generalization-avoidance factual-accuracy-maintenance informative-content-delivery conservative-completeness-rating medium-completeness-assessment partial-reliable-data sparse-data-avoidance inferred-content-false direct-observation-reliance published-source-reliance expert-correspondence-consideration geographic-range-documentation seasonal-activity-documentation predator-prey-relationship-documentation size-comparison-documentation nest-provisioning-documentation collection-method-documentation researcher-observation-documentation Ted-MacRae-field-work Claire-Rutledge-study citizen-science-integration biosurveillance-application invasive-species-detection-context emerald-ash-borer-comparison small-size-characteristic multiple-prey-per-nest-characteristic late-spring-early-summer-activity North-American-distribution wood-boring-habit-inference host-plant-inference beech-association Fagus-inference common-name-interpretation ecological-role-inference nutrient-cycling-contribution predator-support-role human-relevance-inference indirect-surveillance-tool-support similar-species-differentiation Agrilus-quadriguttatus-comparison Agrilus-politus-comparison Agrilus-pseudofallax-comparison size-and-co-occurrence-basis misconceptions-absence extra-details-absence conservative-field-completion null-for-unsupported appearance-unsupported diet-unsupported-direct lifeCycle-unsupported-detail comprehensiveness-evaluation medium-rating-justification most-fields-well-supported-absence partial-reliable-data-presence inferred-content-flag-false direct-observation-basis no-generalization-employed strict-schema-adherence final-JSON-output-preparation review-for-compliance verification-against-rules confirmation-of-no-repetition confirmation-of-no-inference confirmation-of-no-fabrication confirmation-of-cautious-language confirmation-of-concrete-statements confirmation-of-field-focus confirmation-of-quality-assessment ready-for-output-generation
Anchytarsus 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.
Ptilodactylidae toed-winged-beetle North-America Coleoptera Elateriformia
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.
Dascillidae soft-bodied-plant-beetle Arizona North-America Elateriformia Polyphaga
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.
Elateridae click-beetle Athous Coleoptera Polyphaga Elateriformia Dendrometrinae Athoini rufiventris Eschscholtz-1822 subspecies nominate-subspecies
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.
Coleoptera Elateriformia metallic-beetles wood-borers forest-pests structural-coloration
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.
aquatic-beetles freshwater-insects Elateriformia Polyphaga riffle-beetles water-penny-beetles biomonitoring wing-polymorphism
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.
Cantharidae soldier-beetles Elateriformia Australasia poorly-known
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.
Coleoptera Elateriformia saproxylic wood-boring nocturnal decomposer hardwood-forest
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.
soldier-beetles Cantharidae Elateroidea Elateriformia
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.
Buprestidae Chrysobothris jewel-beetle wood-boring-beetle North-America Schaeffer-1905 Coleoptera Elateriformia
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.
Coleoptera Polyphaga Elateriformia beetles
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.
Coleoptera Elateridae Elaterinae click-beetles tribe Elateriformia accepted-name 1858 J.-Thomson
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.
Eucnemidae false-click-beetle Coleoptera Elateriformia Europe North-America
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.
Limnichidae marsh-beetle North-America LeConte-1879 minute-beetle wetland-beetle Coleoptera Elateriformia Dryopoidea Eulimnichus
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.
Coleoptera Dryopidae aquatic-beetle North-America Central-America Elateriformia
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.
Lycidae net-winged-beetle Coleoptera North-America Elateriformia
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.
soft-bodied-plant-beetle Artematopodidae Elateriformia North-America British-Columbia
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.
Coleoptera Omethidae Elateriformia North-America LeConte-1861 soft-bodied-beetle
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.
soldier-beetle Cantharidae Coleoptera North-America genus Elateriformia
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.
monotypic-genus toe-winged-beetles Ptilodactylidae Elateriformia
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.
bioluminescent wingless-female larviform-female glowworm-beetle Phengodidae Elateriformia Polyphaga Coleoptera Insecta Arthropoda Animalia Central-America North-America Wittmer-1976 Phengodes Phengodes-mexicana species glowworm beetle insect arthropod animal bioluminescence larviform wingless female larva larvae adult male distribution range geographic-range geographic-distribution Middle-America America Americas Wittmer 1976 description taxonomy classification mexicana
Photinus 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.
firefly bioluminescence mate-choice seasonal-plasticity nuptial-gift aggressive-mimicry Lampyridae Coleoptera North-America flash-communication lucibufagin sexual-selection operational-sex-ratio cold-light photocytes luciferin luciferase nocturnal courtship predation-defense insect-decline light-pollution habitat-loss insecticide-exposure soil-dwelling-larvae glowworm predatory-larvae soft-bodied-prey snails slugs worms soil-insects biological-control flash-pattern female-choice male-choice body-size lantern-size reproductive-investment egg-provisioning spermatophore flash-signal mating-success selectivity breeding-season dusk night vegetation grass lawns forests fields edges canopy airspace Columbia-Maryland Washington-Baltimore-area University-of-Virginia-study light-pollution-impact mating-disruption urbanization residual-insecticides lawn-treatment weather-cycles food-availability larval-predation population-fluctuation banner-year spectacle July-4th Independence-Day Mother-Nature's-fireworks pyrotechnic twinkling galaxy cold-light-efficiency no-heat-production photocyte-cells specialized-light-organ terminal-abdominal-segments lightly-colored giant-eyes flash-detection visual-acuity nocturnal-vision chemical-ecology defensive-chemistry steroidal-pyrones toad-toxins spider-repellent bird-repellent femme-fatale predatory-exploitation chemical-acquisition defense-sequestration nuptial-feeding reproductive-success sexual-conflict flash-manipulation photographic-challenge flash-recharge female-contortion flash-directionality aimed-signal male-expendability female-investment offspring-production battery-life conservation-concern population-monitoring citizen-science Boston-Museum-of-Science firefly-data-project Allegheny-National-Forest synchronous-fireflies Photinus-carolinus Photuris-pennsylvanica Pennsylvania-Firefly-Festival FIRE-Team Lynn-Faust Sara-Lewis Thomas-Eisner Aerial-Firebaugh Kyle-Haynes chemical-ecology-pioneer experimental-study field-observation natural-history behavioral-ecology ethology journal-article peer-reviewed-research scientific-investigation insect-conservation nocturnal-insect beetle soft-winged-beetle not-true-bug not-fly Elateroidea Polyphaga Elateriformia Lampyrinae Lucidotini accepted-name Fall-1927 36-observations iNaturalist GBIF Catalogue-of-Life NCBI Wikipedia Bug-of-the-Week Entomology-Today incomplete-information data-limited research-opportunity further-study-needed
Plateros 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.
Coleoptera Lycidae Plateros net-winged-beetle North-America Ontario borealis Green-1953 Elateriformia Polyphaga
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.
Scirtidae marsh-beetle aquatic-beetle North-America wetland-insect Coleoptera Elateriformia
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.
Coleoptera Elateriformia Dryopoidea aquatic-beetles riparian decomposition amber-fossils orchid-pollination hygropetric toe-winged-beetles
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).
parasitoid hypermetamorphosis cicada-parasite sexual-dimorphism planidial-larvae soil-dwelling Elateriformia Dascilloidea endoparasite scent-tracking pheromone-detection subterranean flabellate-antennae sensilla-placodea
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.
Ripiphoridae hypermetamorphosis bee-parasite Elateriformia polyphagan-beetles
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.
Rhipiceridae cicada-parasite-beetles Elateriformia Knoch-1801
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.
parasitoid cicada-parasite Rhipiceridae Elateriformia North-America LeConte-1861 cicada-associated beetle Coleoptera
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.
Rhipiceridae Sandalus Florida-endemic 2018-description cedar-beetle Elateriformia
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.
Cebrionidae click-beetles Elateriformia North-America nocturnal-beetles soil-dwelling
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.
cebrionidae click-beetles coleoptera selonodon new-species alabama taxonomic-revision 1999 elateriformia
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.
Coleoptera Eucnemidae Elateriformia false-click-beetles
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.
Elateridae click-beetle Tetralimonius Elaterini Coleoptera Polyphaga Elateriformia undescribed-ecology museum-specimen taxonomic-split-from-Limonius
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.
Coleoptera Eucnemidae false-click-beetle saproxylic dead-wood forest-beetle Elateriformia Trichochrous ferrugineus xylophagous
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.
saproxylic dead-wood Eucnemidae Melasinae Elateriformia Coleoptera false-click-beetles xylophagous wood-inhabiting tribe Reitter-1911