Hister-beetle
Guides
Abraeus
Abraeus is a genus of small hister beetles in the family Histeridae. Species in this genus are saproxylic, associated with dead and decaying wood. The genus contains at least nine described species distributed across Europe. Abraeus beetles are rarely collected due to their specialized habitat requirements and small size.
Amblyderus adventive-sp
A small histerid beetle of the genus Amblyderus, recognized as an adventive species in certain regions. Members of this genus are generally associated with decaying organic matter and are often found in dung, carrion, or compost habitats. The specific epithet 'adventive-sp' suggests this represents a non-native or recently introduced population. As with many histerids, it likely serves as a predator or scavenger in decomposing substrates.
Anapleus marginatus
clown beetle
Anapleus marginatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1853. The species is found in North America, with confirmed records from multiple U.S. states including Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. As a member of the Histeridae family, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles, which are typically associated with decaying organic matter and are known for their compact, oval body shape and clubbed antennae.
Caerosternus americanus
Caerosternus americanus is a small clown beetle (family Histeridae) originally described by LeConte in 1844. It is distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and numerous U.S. states. The species belongs to the subfamily Tribalinae within the diverse Histeridae, a family commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with decaying organic matter, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
Carcinops pumilio
poultryhouse pill beetle
Carcinops pumilio is a small histerid beetle widely distributed across Africa, Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. It is a specialized predator of filth flies, particularly house flies (Musca domestica) and little house flies (Fannia canicularis), consuming both eggs and first-instar larvae. The species has been extensively studied for its potential as a biological control agent in poultry operations, where it inhabits manure accumulations. Adults exhibit a distinctive prey-mediated dispersal behavior, clinging to flies to locate ephemeral breeding resources more efficiently than by walking or flying alone.
Carcinops tejonicus
Carcinops tejonicus is a hister beetle in the family Histeridae. The species is distributed in California, USA and Mexico. It has been recorded as present in both Middle America and North America.
Hister depurator
clown beetle
Hister depurator is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Thomas Say in 1825. It is found in North America, with records from eastern Canada and across much of the United States. Like other hister beetles, it is likely predaceous, feeding on small arthropods in decaying organic matter. The species is rarely encountered in collections, with only two observations documented on iNaturalist.
Operclipygus
Operclipygus is a genus of hister beetles (family Histeridae) containing approximately 177 described species. The genus name refers to the clamshell-like appearance of the pygidium (rear end). A 2013 systematic revision by Caterino and Tishechkin described 138 new species from Central and South America, increasing the genus size more than sixfold. These beetles are small, round, and predominantly black, with ecological importance as predators of insect larvae.