Fungivory
Guides
Chymomyza
Chymomyza is a genus of vinegar flies in the family Drosophilidae, containing approximately 60 described species distributed across multiple continents. Species within this genus exhibit diverse ecological specializations, including mycophagy (fungal spore feeding) and exploitation of damaged or parasitized fruits and nuts. Some species, such as C. amoena, have demonstrated invasive potential, establishing populations in Europe from North American origins. The genus is notable for complex male-male combat behaviors involving modified forelegs used as visual signals and physical weapons.
Diaperinae
Diaperinae is a subfamily of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) comprising more than 120 genera organized into 11 tribes. The subfamily exhibits considerable ecological diversity, including fungivorous species that inhabit fruiting bodies of bracket fungi, myrmecophilous species that live commensally within ant nests, and free-living forms. Some species display specialized adaptations such as reduced eyes for subterranean life, compact rounded body shapes for physical defense against ants, and cuticular hydrocarbon mimicry of host ant recognition signals.
Drosophila falleni
Drosophila falleni is a mycophagous fruit fly native to northeastern North America. It specializes in feeding on the fruiting bodies of diverse fungal genera. The species serves as a host for the parasitic nematode Howardula aoronymphium, which manipulates host olfactory behavior. Its genome was sequenced in 2019 to study immune system evolution.
Laemophloeidae
Lined Flat Bark Beetles
Laemophloeidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cucujoidea, commonly known as lined flat bark beetles. Adults range from 1–5 mm in length and are characterized by dorso-ventrally compressed bodies adapted for living under bark. The family contains approximately 450 species across 40 genera, with highest diversity in tropical regions. While most species inhabit dead wood and feed on fungi, several species in the genus Cryptolestes are significant pests of stored grain products worldwide.
Mycodiplosis
Rust-eating midges
Mycodiplosis is a genus of gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) whose larvae feed on spores of rust fungi (Pucciniales) and other fungal groups. The genus contains at least 49 described species based on adult male morphology, with phylogenetic analyses suggesting substantial undescribed diversity. Larvae have been detected on 261 rust-infected plant collections across 25 countries, with infestation patterns showing preferential feeding on certain rust species but no strict host-specificity at the clade level.
Neoempheria
fungus gnats
Neoempheria is a genus of fungus gnats in the family Mycetophilidae, containing at least 140 described species. The genus is particularly diverse in the Neotropical region, with 41 species recorded from Brazil. Larvae develop in association with fungi, making this one of the key groups of fungivorous insects. The first biological association between Neoempheria larvae and fungi in the Neotropical region was documented in 2015 for N. puncticoxa, marking a significant advance in understanding the natural history of this poorly studied group in South America.
Neoempheria balioptera
fungus gnat
Neoempheria balioptera is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, subfamily Mycomyinae. The species was first described by Loew in 1870. Larvae of this species have been documented feeding on mushrooms in Brazil, representing the first record of Neoempheria biology in the Neotropical region. This discovery provided insights into the life cycle and feeding habits of a genus whose natural history was previously poorly known in South America.
Octotemnus glabriculus
Octotemnus glabriculus is a minute tree-fungus beetle in the family Ciidae. It is a specialist fungivore that feeds on the bracket fungus Coriolus versicolor. Its feeding activity significantly reduces the host fungus's reproductive fitness by damaging the spore-producing hymenium. The species occurs across Europe and Northern Asia, including Kazakhstan.
Oxyporus
Oxyporus is a genus of mycophagous rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Oxyporinae. The genus contains over 100 species distributed across Eurasia and the Americas. Adults and larvae are highly specialized fungivores that live inside and feed on fleshy fruit bodies of agaricoid Basidiomycetes. They exhibit notably short metamorphosis duration matching the ephemeral nature of their fungal hosts.
Porricondylinae
gall midges, wood midges
Porricondylinae is a subfamily of gall midges and wood midges in the family Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). Members are primarily mycophagous (fungus-feeding), with larvae developing in decaying wood, fungi, or other organic substrates. The subfamily contains three tribes—Asynaptini, Dicerurini, and Porricondylini—encompassing over 100 described genera. Many species exhibit distinctive roosting behavior on spider webs, where they suspend themselves from non-sticky foundation threads to avoid predation.