Elateroidea
Guides
Aulonothroscus
Aulonothroscus is a genus of small false click beetles (family Throscidae) containing more than 20 described species. These beetles belong to the superfamily Elateroidea but lack the prominent clicking mechanism of true click beetles (Elateridae). The genus was established by Horn in 1890 and has been documented primarily in northern Europe and Scandinavia based on available distribution records.
Brachypsectra
Texas beetle
Brachypsectra is a genus of beetles in the family Brachypsectridae, one of two extant genera in this small elateroid family. Adults are small, light brown beetles with distinctive pectinate antennae in males. The larvae are flattened, ovate predators with branched lateral lobes on thoracic and abdominal segments, historically known as an 'entomological enigma' before their adult form was discovered. The genus occurs in southwestern North America, with larvae found under bark, in leaf litter, and rock crevices.
Brachypsectridae
Texas beetles
Brachypsectridae is a small family of beetles in the superfamily Elateroidea, commonly known as Texas beetles. The family contains two extant genera—Brachypsectra (cosmopolitan in arid regions) and Asiopsectra (Central Asia and Middle East)—plus several fossil genera from Cretaceous amber. Adults are small, soft-bodied beetles lacking the functional prothoracic clicking mechanism typical of related elateroids. Larvae are highly distinctive ambush predators with flattened bodies and feathery lateral lobes.
Calochrominae
Calochrominae is a subfamily of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae) established by Lacordaire in 1857. The subfamily contains at least 4 genera and more than 30 described species, organized into two tribes: Calochromini and Slipinskiini. Members of this group share the characteristic elytra with net-like venation typical of Lycidae.
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.
Dendrocharis
Dendrocharis is a genus of Asian click beetle allies in the family Eucnemidae, established by Félix Guérin-Méneville in 1843. It is the type genus of the tribe Dendrocharini. The genus contains eight described species distributed across Southeast Asia.
Dromaeolini
Dromaeolini is a tribe of false click beetles (family Eucnemidae) established by Beaulieu in 1919. The tribe is currently treated as a synonym within the subfamily Macraulacinae. Eucnemidae are characterized by their inability to perform the clicking jump mechanism found in true click beetles (Elateridae), despite superficial similarities in body form. Members of this group are typically small to medium-sized beetles associated with decaying wood.
Dyscharachthis
Dyscharachthis is a genus of false click beetles in the family Eucnemidae, established by Blackburn in 1900. It belongs to the monotypic tribe Dyscharachthini. The genus is poorly known, with minimal published information on its biology and morphology. Based on family characteristics, members are likely associated with decaying wood habitats.
Ellychnia facula
Ellychnia facula is a species of firefly in the family Lampyridae. It is currently treated as a synonym of Photinus faculus in some taxonomic databases, though the original combination under Ellychnia persists in literature. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854 and is recorded as widespread across North America. Like other members of the genus Ellychnia, this species belongs to the 'dark firefly' group—adults that lack the light-producing organs typical of most fireflies.
Eurypogon
Eurypogon is a genus of soft-bodied plant beetles in the family Artematopodidae. The genus contains approximately 11 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with species described from North America, Japan, and China. Two Chinese species, E. jaechi and E. heishuiensis, were described in 2013 from mountainous regions of Yunnan Province. The genus is characterized by soft, flexible bodies and is placed phylogenetically within the superfamily Elateroidea in a basal position near Omethidae and Telegeusidae.
Euryptychini
Euryptychini is a tribe of click beetles within the family Eucnemidae, established by Mamaev in 1976. Members of this tribe are classified in the subfamily Macraulacinae and share characteristics typical of the false click beetles, including reduced or modified clicking mechanisms compared to true click beetles (Elateridae). The tribe is relatively small and poorly documented in the scientific literature, with limited biological and ecological information available.
Euryptychus
Euryptychus is a genus of false click beetles (family Eucnemidae) established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. It belongs to the tribe Euryptychini within the subfamily Macraulacinae. The genus comprises small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their distinctive antennal and tarsal morphology. Very few observations exist in public databases, with only 10 records on iNaturalist as of the source data.
Macropogon
Macropogon is a genus of soft-bodied plant beetles in the family Artematopodidae, established by Victor Motschulsky in 1845. The genus contains at least three accepted species, with additional species listed in some sources. Members are classified within the superfamily Elateroidea and are characterized by their soft body structure relative to other beetles.
Malthomethes oregonus
Malthomethes oregonus is a species of beetle in the family Omethidae, described by Fender in 1975. The genus Malthomethes belongs to a small family of elateroid beetles whose members are poorly studied. This species is known from very few records, with only one observation documented in iNaturalist. The specific epithet "oregonus" suggests a type locality in Oregon, though comprehensive distribution data remains limited.
Microphotus pecosensis
Pecos desert firefly
Microphotus pecosensis is a firefly species in the beetle family Lampyridae, first described by Fall in 1912. It belongs to the genus Microphotus, which comprises small, often dimly luminescent fireflies found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. The species is known from limited observations, with only 14 documented records on iNaturalist.
Nematodinus
Nematodinus is a genus of false click beetles (family Eucnemidae) described by Lea in 1919. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Dirhagini within the subfamily Melasinae. The genus is characterized by morphological features typical of the Dirhagini, including antennae with distinct club segments. Information on this genus remains limited, with few documented observations.
Paraptorthodius
glowworm beetles
Paraptorthodius is a genus of glowworm beetles in the family Phengodidae, established by Schaeffer in 1904. The genus contains at least three described species distributed in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Like other phengodids, members of this genus are bioluminescent, with luminescence produced primarily by larviform females and larvae. The genus belongs to the tribe Mastinocerini within the subfamily Phengodinae.
Perothops cervinus
Perothops cervinus is a species of click beetle in the family Perothopidae, a small family within the superfamily Elateroidea. The genus Perothops contains species that are often associated with decaying wood and have been observed in association with hardwood trees. Perothopidae is distinguished from other elateroid families by various morphological features including characteristics of the prosternal process and antennae. The family is considered relatively obscure and poorly studied compared to the related Elateridae.
Phausis rhombica
Phausis rhombica is a firefly species in the beetle family Lampyridae, described by Fender in 1962. It belongs to the genus Phausis, which includes other "shadow ghost" fireflies characterized by neotenic, wingless, glowing females and winged, non-luminous males. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Alberta, Canada.
Phengodidae
glowworm beetles, glow-worms, railroad-worms, trenecitos, bigotudos
Phengodidae is a family of bioluminescent beetles commonly known as glowworm beetles. The family contains over 250 described species distributed throughout the New World from southern Canada to Chile, with additional diversity in Western Asia through the subfamily Cydistinae. Females and larvae possess bioluminescent organs that emit yellow, green, or red light; the Brazilian railroad worm Phrixothrix hirtus is the only terrestrial organism known to produce true red light. Females are larviform and typically much larger than males, which are winged, short-lived, and often attracted to lights. The family was formerly considered to include the Old World Rhagophthalmidae, now recognized as a separate family.
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.
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-neededPleotomodes
Pleotomodes is a genus of fireflies (family Lampyridae) established by Green in 1948. The genus belongs to the tribe Pleotomini within the subfamily Lampyrinae. Members of this genus are bioluminescent beetles characterized by features typical of the Pleotomini tribe. The genus contains species distributed in certain regions, though detailed species-level documentation remains limited. Pleotomodes represents one of the lesser-documented genera within the diverse Lampyridae family.
Proutianus
Proutianus is a genus of false click beetles (family Eucnemidae) established by Muona in 1993. It belongs to the tribe Proutianini, a group of eucnemids characterized by reduced or modified hind wings that prevent the typical clicking mechanism found in related families. The genus is part of the diverse Elateroidea superfamily, which includes numerous beetle lineages with varied ecological adaptations.
Schizophilus
Schizophilus is a genus of false click beetles (family Eucnemidae) established by Bonvouloir in 1871. It is the type genus of the subfamily Schizophilinae, a small group within the Elateroidea superfamily. The genus contains relatively few described species and remains poorly known in terms of biology and ecology. Specimens are rarely collected, contributing to limited understanding of their natural history.
Silis
Silis is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae, established by Charpentier in 1825. The genus contains at least 80 described species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Colombia, Denmark, and Norway. Soldier beetles in this genus are soft-bodied, elongated beetles with flexible elytra. They are active predators or pollen feeders as adults.
Xylophilus
Xylophilus is a genus of beetles in the family Eucnemidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1823. The genus belongs to the tribe Xylobiini within the subfamily Melasinae. Eucnemidae, commonly known as false click beetles, are a family of elateroid beetles characterized by larvae that develop in decaying wood. The genus name Xylophilus (from Greek xylon "wood" and philos "loving") reflects an association with woody substrates. The name Xylophilus is also used for a bacterial genus (Willems et al. 1987), but this taxon record refers to the beetle genus.