Exosternini
Guides
Operclipygus striatellus
clown beetle
Operclipygus striatellus is a small clown beetle in the family Histeridae, originally described as Tribalister striatellus by Fall in 1917. It belongs to a genus that experienced significant taxonomic expansion in 2013, when 138 new Operclipygus species were described from Central and South America. This species occurs in temperate North America, unlike most of its congeners which are tropical.
Phelister
clown beetles
A large genus of clown beetles (Histeridae) comprising over 90 described species. Members of the genus occupy diverse habitats including carrion, dung, and vertebrate nests. The P. panamensis species group is distinguished by unique hooks on the apex of the male 8th sternite.
Phelister brevistriatus
clown beetle
Phelister brevistriatus is a species of clown beetle (family Histeridae) described by Casey in 1916. It belongs to the tribe Exosternini within the subfamily Histerinae. The species is known from both North America and Central America, with records from the southwestern United States through Mexico to El Salvador.
Strigister
Strigister is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae, erected in 2013. The genus contains two described species: Strigister simoni and Strigister tecolotito. Like other histerids, members of this genus are likely associated with decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain limited.