Fungivores
Guides
Belba
Belba is a genus of oribatid mites (family Damaeidae) established by Carl von Heyden in 1826, with Notaspis corynopus (Hermann, 1804) as the type species. The genus comprises soil-dwelling species distributed across Eurasia and North America. Members are fungivores, and at least one species (Belba kingi) has been subject to complete life history study.
Bolitocharina
Bolitocharina is a subtribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) within the tribe Homalotini, subfamily Aleocharinae. It was established by Carl Gustaf Thomson in 1859. The subtribe contains multiple genera of small to minute beetles characterized by compact body forms and reduced elytra typical of the family. Members are found primarily in the Holarctic region, with some representation in other biogeographic zones.
Cecidomyiinae
gall midges, gall gnats
Cecidomyiinae is the largest subfamily in Cecidomyiidae, comprising over 600 genera and more than 5,000 described species. The subfamily exhibits remarkable ecological diversity: approximately 75% of species are herbivorous, many inducing galls on plants, while others are fungivores, predators, or parasitoids. Gall-inducing species attack a wide diversity of host plants worldwide and represent the most ecologically diverse gall-inducing group of organisms. Members can be distinguished from other Cecidomyiidae by characters of the male genitalia, antennal segment number, and larval abdominal bristles.
Ceracis
tree-fungus beetles
Ceracis is a genus of minute tree-fungus beetles (family Ciidae) comprising approximately 56 described species. The genus is characterized by small body size, reduced antennal segmentation (typically 8-9 antennomeres), and pronounced sexual dimorphism in cephalic and pronotal armature. Species within the Ceracis furcifer group exhibit specialized feeding on the blood-red bracket fungus Pycnoporus sanguineus, representing a unique dietary specialization among animals. The genus has a predominantly Neotropical distribution, with records extending from South America through the Caribbean to the southern United States.
Choraginae
fungus weevils
Choraginae is a subfamily of fungus weevils within the beetle family Anthribidae. The subfamily comprises approximately 9 genera, with authoritative sources differing on species count—estimates range from at least 20 to more than 180 described species. The subfamily includes economically significant genera such as Araecerus, which contains stored product pests. Choraginae is distinguished from other anthribid subfamilies by morphological and biological characteristics associated with their fungal associations.
Clambidae
Minute Beetles, Fringe-winged Beetles
Clambidae is a family of minute beetles in the superfamily Clamboidea, comprising approximately 70 described species across five genera. Adults range from 0.7 to 2 mm in body length and exhibit distinctive fringe-winged morphology with long hairs lining the wing margins. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution excluding Antarctica, with the genus Clambus being the most widespread. Some species exhibit a conglobate body form capable of rolling into a ball.
Damaeidae
Damaeidae is a family of oribatid mites (order Sarcoptiformes) comprising approximately 20 genera distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Members are primarily fungivorous and inhabit decomposing organic matter including plant litter, mosses, decaying wood, and soil layers. Several species exhibit troglophilic tendencies, occurring in subterranean habitats such as caves and mountain scree systems. The family has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, with historically recognized families Belbidae, Belbodamaeidae, and Hungarobelbidae now synonymized under Damaeidae.
Eremaeidae
Family of oribatid mites in the order Sarcoptiformes. Found across Palearctic and Nearctic regions, with species inhabiting soil and litter from arid zones to the High Arctic. Includes genera Eremaeus, Eueremaeus, Tricheremaeus, Carinabella, Asperemaeus, and others. Sexual reproduction. Both immatures and adults feed primarily on fungi.
Leiodidae
Round Fungus Beetles
Leiodidae is a globally distributed family of small beetles containing approximately 3,800 described species. Commonly known as round fungus beetles, many species exhibit a compact, globular body form, though some are more elongated. The family encompasses diverse ecological specializations including fungivory, detritivory, carrion-feeding, and subterranean cave-dwelling. About half of all described species are flightless due to reduced or absent wings. The tribe Leptodirini represents one of the most diverse radiations of subterranean animals, with over 1,300 species adapted to cave habitats.
Litochropus
Litochropus is a genus of small beetles in the family Phalacridae, established by Casey in 1890. Members of this genus are among the least studied phalacrid beetles, with very few documented observations. The genus is characterized by minute body size and association with fungal habitats. As with other phalacrids, these beetles likely inhabit decaying plant matter and fungal fruiting bodies, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Nanosella
Nanosella is a genus of featherwing beetles (family Ptiliidae) described by Motschulsky in 1869. Members of this genus are among the smallest known beetles, with body lengths often measuring less than 1 mm. The genus belongs to the tribe Nanosellini, which contains some of the most miniaturized insects in the world. These beetles inhabit decaying organic matter where they feed on fungal spores and hyphae.
Phalacridae
shining flower beetles
Phalacridae is a family of small beetles commonly known as shining flower beetles. The family contains approximately 638 species in 52 genera worldwide. Adults are typically found on composite flowers, particularly Asteraceae, where they feed on pollen and floral tissues. Most species are fungivorous, though some feed on flower heads and developing seeds. The family has a fossil record extending to the Early Cretaceous.
Phenopelopidae
Phenopelopidae is a family of oribatid mites comprising 4 genera and approximately 106 species. Adults are small (400–900 μm), typically dark brown to black, with distinctive flat blade-like lamellae and movable pteromorphs. Juveniles are soft-bodied, light brown, and possess plicate cuticle. These mites inhabit forest floor microhabitats and appear to be primarily fungal feeders.
Platystomini
fungus weevils
Platystomini is a tribe of fungus weevils within the beetle family Anthribidae. The tribe contains at least 24 described genera, with over 100 species recorded in North America and additional species distributed globally. Members of this tribe are characterized by their association with fungal hosts and their morphological adaptations for this ecological niche. The genus Platystomos, established in 1791, serves as the type genus for the tribe.
Ptiliidae
Feather-winged Beetles, Featherwing Beetles
Ptiliidae is a family of extremely small beetles containing the smallest known free-living, non-parasitoid insects. Members range from 0.3 to 4.0 mm in length, with the smallest species, Scydosella musawasensis, measuring only 0.325 mm. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution and is characterized by distinctive narrow, feathery hindwings that give the group its common name. Their minute size imposes unusual biological constraints, including the production of very large eggs relative to adult body size.
Silvanidae
Silvan Flat Bark Beetles, Silvanid Flat Bark Beetles
Silvanidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cucujoidea, comprising approximately 68 genera and 500 described species. Members are found on all continents except Antarctica, with highest diversity in the Old World tropics. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Brontinae (larger, loosely jointed beetles with long antennae and mandibular mycangia) and Silvaninae (smaller beetles with closed procoxal cavities). While many species inhabit subcortical environments under bark, several genera have become economically significant stored product pests.
Tarsonemidae
thread-footed mites, white mites
Tarsonemidae is a family of mites in the order Trombidiformes, commonly known as thread-footed mites or white mites. The family exhibits diverse feeding habits: most species feed on fungal mycelia or algal bodies, while a limited number of genera (Steneotarsonemus, Polyphagotarsonemus, Phytonemus, Floridotarsonemus, and Tarsonemus) feed on higher plants. Some tarsonemids are associated with insects, including parasites of bees (Acarapis woodi), associates of leaf-footed bug glands, and attachments to grasshopper wings. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably the broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) and cyclamen mite (Steneotarsonemus pallidus).
Tetratomidae
polypore fungus beetles
Tetratomidae is a small family of beetles in the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, commonly known as polypore fungus beetles. The family was historically classified within Melandryidae but is now recognized as distinct based on larval and adult morphological characters. Members are found worldwide and are specialized consumers of fungal fruiting bodies. The family includes several extant genera as well as fossil genera from Cretaceous amber deposits.
Zopherinae
ironclad beetles
Zopherinae is a subfamily of beetles commonly known as ironclad beetles, characterized by exceptionally hardened exoskeletons. The subfamily currently contains eight genera across two tribes: seven genera in Zopherini and the monotypic genus Phellopsis in its own tribe Phellopsini. Historically treated as a family alongside Usechinae, Zopherinae is now classified within the expanded family Zopheridae. These beetles are primarily associated with rotting wood and are known to be fungivores.