Fungus-beetles
Guides
Aglyptinus
round fungus beetles
Aglyptinus is a genus of small, rounded beetles in the family Leiodidae, commonly known as round fungus beetles. The genus was established by Cockerell in 1906 and contains over forty described species. Members are classified within the tribe Scotocryptini and are associated with fungal habitats. The genus is distributed across North America, with Aglyptinus laevis being the most well-documented species in the United States and Canada.
Archeocrypticidae
cryptic fungus beetles, Ancient Fungus Beetle
Archeocrypticidae is a small family of beetles comprising approximately 10 genera and 50 species worldwide. Commonly referred to as cryptic fungus beetles, members of this family are saprophagous, with adults and larvae typically found in plant litter and associated with fungal substrates. The family exhibits a predominantly pantropical distribution, with notable diversity in Australia and relative absence from temperate Palearctic and Nearctic regions.
Atomariinae
silken fungus beetles
Atomariinae is a subfamily of small beetles within the family Cryptophagidae, commonly known as silken fungus beetles. The group comprises approximately 8 genera and more than 170 described species, including the well-known genus Atomaria. Members are generally associated with fungal habitats. The subfamily was established by J.L. LeConte in 1861.
Berginus
Berginus is a genus of hairy fungus beetles in the family Mycetophagidae, established by Erichson in 1846. The genus contains at least three described species distributed across North America and Europe. Members of this genus are associated with fungal habitats. The genus is classified in the subfamily Bergininae, which bears its name.
Ciidae
Minute Tree-Fungus Beetles, Shelf Fungus Beetles
Ciidae, commonly known as minute tree-fungus beetles or shelf fungus beetles, are a family of small beetles within the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. Adults and larvae inhabit fruiting bodies of bracket fungi (Polyporales), particularly Polyporaceae and Corticiaceae, where they burrow inside the fungal tissue. The family is most diverse in warmer regions but has a cosmopolitan distribution extending to northern latitudes including Scandinavia. Development from egg to adult can occur in as little as two months, and some species are parthenogenetic. A few species, notably Cis chinensis, are recognized as pests of commercially dried fungi.
Cis
tree-fungus beetles
Cis is a genus of tree-fungus beetles in the family Ciidae, first described by Latreille in 1797. The genus contains at least 150 described species, all of which are associated with fungal habitats. These small beetles are specialized inhabitants of wood-decaying fungi and are found across multiple continents including Europe and North America.
Colenis
round fungus beetles
Colenis is a genus of round fungus beetles in the family Leiodidae, first described by Erichson in 1842. The genus comprises approximately eight described species. These small beetles are classified within the subfamily Leiodinae and tribe Pseudoliodini. Distribution records indicate presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Cryptophagidae
silken fungus beetles
Cryptophagidae is a family of small beetles commonly known as silken fungus beetles. Adults and larvae feed exclusively on fungi across diverse habitats including rotting wood and shed animal fur and feathers. The family contains approximately 600 species in 60 genera divided into two subfamilies: Atomariinae and Cryptophaginae. Body size ranges from 1 to 11 millimeters with an oval shape and slight waist.
Cucujoidea
flat bark beetles, fungus beetles, sap beetles
Cucujoidea is a superfamily of beetles within the infraorder Cucujiformia, comprising 25 extant families and two extinct families. This group includes fungus beetles, flat bark beetles, sap beetles, and diverse lineages of 'bark beetles' unrelated to the true bark beetles (Scolytinae, Curculionoidea). Members exhibit varied morphology without unifying external features, though adults share internal characteristics including open procoxal cavities and specific tarsal formulas. The superfamily formerly encompassed families now placed in Coccinelloidea. Ecologically, most species have cryptic habits in fungi, leaf litter, or dead wood, with some lineages associated with flowers or stored food products.
Cyrtusa
Cyrtusa is a genus of round fungus beetles (family Leiodidae) established by Erichson in 1842. The genus contains at least two described species: Cyrtusa grossepunctata (described 1988) and Cyrtusa subtestacea (described 1813). These beetles belong to the tribe Leiodini within the subfamily Leiodinae.
Derodontidae
tooth-necked fungus beetles
Derodontidae is a small family of beetles comprising 42 species in 4 genera and 3 subfamilies. Members are commonly known as tooth-necked fungus beetles due to the spiny pronotal margins found in most genera, though the genus Laricobius lacks these spines. The family is notable for possessing two ocelli on the head, an unusual trait among beetles. The genus Laricobius has gained significant attention as a biological control agent for invasive adelgids threatening hemlock forests in North America.
Derodontus
tooth-necked fungus beetles
Derodontus is a genus of tooth-necked fungus beetles comprising approximately eleven described species. Members are mycophagous, feeding on fungi. The genus has a Holarctic distribution with species recorded from North America, Europe, and Asia. Derodontus macularis has been documented in well-preserved natural forest habitats in eastern Moravia, Czech Republic.
Epipocinae
handsome fungus beetles
Epipocinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Endomychidae, commonly known as handsome fungus beetles. It contains at least 4 genera and more than 40 described species. The group was established by Gorham in 1873.
Epipocus
handsome fungus beetles
Epipocus is a genus of handsome fungus beetles in the family Endomychidae. The genus was established by Chevrolat in 1836 and contains at least 20 described species. Members of this genus are classified within the subfamily Epipocinae, which is named after the genus itself. These beetles are part of the diverse Coccinelloidea superfamily, a group that includes many fungus-feeding beetles.
Erotylidae
Pleasing Fungus Beetles
Erotylidae, commonly known as pleasing fungus beetles, is a family of beetles in the superfamily Erotyloidea containing over 100 genera. The family includes six tribes (Tritomini, Dacnini, Megalodacnini, Erotylini, Cryptophilini, and Languriini) and ten subfamilies. Members feed on plant and fungal matter; some species serve as important pollinators of ancient cycads, while a few are significant agricultural pests. The oldest known fossil is from Early Cretaceous (Barremian) Lebanese amber.
Erotylinae
pleasing fungus beetles
Erotylinae is a subfamily of pleasing fungus beetles in the family Erotylidae. Members are typically small to medium-sized beetles with compact, often brightly colored bodies. The subfamily is characterized by the presence of exocrine compound glands across all examined genera, with the highest diversity in Megalodacne (up to 9 pairs). These glands are likely involved in chemical defense and possibly pheromone production. The group exhibits diverse morphological forms across approximately 27+ genera including Triplax, Dacne, Megalodacne, and Iphiclus.
Hesperobaenus
Hesperobaenus is a genus of small beetles in the family Monotomidae, first described by LeConte in 1861. The genus contains ten recognized species distributed primarily in North America. These beetles are part of a family historically associated with fungal and decaying wood habitats.
Holostrophus
polypore fungus beetles
Holostrophus is a genus of small beetles in the family Tetratomidae, commonly known as polypore fungus beetles. The genus contains seventeen described species distributed across North America and Asia. These beetles are closely associated with bracket fungi (polypores) on decaying wood. The genus was established by G.H. Horn in 1888.
Hydnobius
round fungus beetles
Hydnobius is a genus of round fungus beetles in the family Leiodidae, comprising approximately seven described species. The genus was established by Schmidt in 1841 and is classified within the tribe Sogdini. Species in this genus are small beetles associated with fungal habitats. The genus has been recorded from northern and central Europe, with distributional data available for specific species such as H. punctulatus reaching its northernmost Central European limits in Slovakia.
Leiodini
round fungus beetles
Leiodini is a tribe of small beetles within the family Leiodidae, commonly known as round fungus beetles. The tribe contains over 400 described species distributed across 19 genera. Members of this tribe are primarily associated with fungal habitats, particularly decomposing fungi and related organic matter. The group was established by Fleming in 1821 and represents a significant component of the beetle fauna in forest ecosystems.
Lycoperdina
handsome fungus beetles
Lycoperdina is a genus of handsome fungus beetles (family Endomychidae) containing approximately 13–16 described species. Members of this genus are associated with fungal substrates, particularly puffballs (Lycoperdon and related genera), from which the genus derives its name. The genus is distributed across the Holarctic region, with records from Europe and North America. As part of the subfamily Lycoperdininae, these beetles represent a specialized lineage within the broader Endomychidae, a family characterized by mycophagous habits.
Melanophthalma villosa
Melanophthalma villosa is a species of minute brown scavenger beetle in the family Latridiidae. This family comprises small beetles commonly known as plaster beetles or fungus beetles, typically associated with mold and fungal growth in various habitats. The species was described by Zimmermann in 1869. Like other members of Latridiidae, it is presumed to feed on fungal hyphae and spores, though specific ecological studies on this species are limited. It has been recorded across multiple Canadian provinces.
Metophthalmus
Metophthalmus is a genus of minute brown scavenger beetles in the family Latridiidae, established by Motschulsky in 1850. These beetles are small, often overlooked, and associated with decaying organic matter. The genus belongs to a family commonly known as plaster beetles or minute brown scavenger beetles, though specific ecological details for Metophthalmus remain poorly documented in published literature.
Microsternus
pleasing fungus beetles
Microsternus is a genus of pleasing fungus beetles in the family Erotylidae. The genus contains three described species: M. perforatus, M. tricolor, and M. ulkei. These beetles are associated with fungal habitats, consistent with the ecology of the Erotylidae family. The genus has been documented across North America with relatively few observation records.
Microtonus
Microtonus is a genus of beetles in the family Melandryidae, first described by LeConte in 1862. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The genus is documented through iNaturalist observations and taxonomic databases, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Nemadus triangulum
Nemadus triangulum is a small beetle species in the family Leiodidae, commonly known as round fungus beetles. It was described by Jeannel in 1936 and occurs in eastern North America. The species belongs to the subfamily Cholevinae, a group associated with subterranean and cave habitats. Very little is known about its specific biology or ecology.
Olibroporus
Olibroporus is a genus of small beetles in the family Phalacridae, established by Casey in 1889. The genus contains multiple species, including the widespread Olibroporus punctatus. Phalacridae beetles are generally associated with fungal environments. Taxonomic revision of the genus has been undertaken to clarify species boundaries and diagnostic characters.
Peltastica
tooth-necked fungus beetles
Peltastica is a genus of small beetles in the family Derodontidae, commonly referred to as tooth-necked fungus beetles. The genus was established by Mannerheim in 1852 and includes at least two described species: P. tuberculata and P. amurensis. These beetles belong to the subfamily Peltasticinae and are associated with fungal habitats. The genus is rarely encountered and poorly known biologically.
Pisenus
Pisenus is a genus of polypore fungus beetles in the family Tetratomidae, established by Casey in 1900. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across North America and East Asia. Members of this genus are associated with polypore fungi, a relationship characteristic of the Tetratomidae family. The genus is classified within the subfamily Piseninae.
Pocadius
hairy puffball beetle
Pocadius is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Erichson in 1843. The genus comprises approximately 47 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with particularly high diversity in Central and South America. Species were historically underdescribed, with a major revision in 2008 expanding the genus from nine to 47 recognized species. The genus includes both described larvae and adults, with some species associated with fungal substrates.
Pseudischyrus
pleasing fungus beetles
Pseudischyrus is a genus of pleasing fungus beetles in the family Erotylidae, established by Casey in 1916. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America. These beetles are associated with fungal habitats, consistent with the ecological pattern of the family Erotylidae.
Scaphisoma
shining fungus beetles
Scaphisoma is the most diverse genus of Scaphidiinae, with 766 described species and subspecies distributed almost worldwide. Members are commonly known as shining fungus beetles due to their association with fungi. The genus occurs across multiple continents including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, with 38 species recorded from the Neotropical region and seven now known from Brazil. Species have been documented from polyporoid fungi and other fungal substrates.
Scotochroides
Scotochroides is a genus of beetles in the family Melandryidae, first described by Mank in 1939. The genus is poorly known, with minimal published literature and only a handful of observations documented. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats, consistent with broader family characteristics. The genus appears to be rarely encountered in field collections.
Sogdini
Sogdini round fungus beetles
Sogdini is a tribe of small round fungus beetles within the family Leiodidae, comprising approximately 7 genera and at least 20 described species. The tribe was established by Lopatin in 1961. Members are distributed across North and Central America, with species inhabiting northern and mountain forests or sandy habitats. The tribe includes the genera Hydnobius, Kalohydnobius, Macrohydnobius, Platyhydnobius, Sogda, Stereus, and Triarthron.
Synstrophus
polypore fungus beetles
Synstrophus is a genus of beetles in the family Tetratomidae, commonly known as polypore fungus beetles. The genus contains at least two described species: Synstrophus repandus and Synstrophus rollei. Members of this genus are associated with polypore fungi, a relationship that defines their ecological niche. The genus was established by Seidlitz in 1898.
Thrimolus
hairy fungus beetles
Thrimolus is a genus of hairy fungus beetles in the family Mycetophagidae, established by Thomas L. Casey in 1900. The genus contains at least two described species: Thrimolus duryi and Thrimolus minutus. As members of Mycetophagidae, these beetles are associated with fungal habitats. The genus is placed in the tribe Typhaeini within the subfamily Mycetophaginae.