Ironclad-beetles
Guides
Hyporhagus
opossum beetles
Hyporhagus is a genus of opossum beetles in the family Zopheridae, established by Thomson in 1860. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed across North America. These beetles belong to the group commonly known as "opossum beetles" or "ironclad beetles," recognized for their heavily sclerotized exoskeletons. Species have been recorded from the southwestern United States through Mexico.
Pycnomerus
ironclad beetles
Pycnomerus is a genus of ironclad beetles (family Zopheridae) comprising more than 20 described species. Members are small, elongated beetles with hardened, often sculptured exoskeletons typical of the family. The genus includes both widespread and highly restricted species, with some island endemics now considered extinct due to habitat loss. Several species are associated with dead wood habitats and are classified as saproxylic.
Usechimorpha
Usechimorpha is a genus of ironclad beetles in the family Zopheridae, established by Blaisdell in 1929. The genus contains at least three described species: Usechimorpha barberi, Usechimorpha montana, and Usechimorpha montanus. As members of Zopheridae, these beetles possess the heavily sclerotized exoskeletons characteristic of ironclad beetles. The genus appears to be rarely encountered, with limited observational records.
Usechus
ironclad beetles
Usechus is a genus of ironclad beetles in the family Zopheridae, established by Motschulsky in 1845. The genus contains at least two described species: Usechus lacerta and Usechus nucleatus. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Usechini within the subfamily Zopherinae. These beetles are part of the highly sclerotized ironclad beetle group known for their hardened, protective exoskeletons.
Zopheridae
Ironclad beetles
Zopheridae is a family of beetles in the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, commonly known as ironclad beetles. The family has expanded considerably in recent years to include the former families Monommatidae and Colydiidae as subfamilies or tribes. It comprises approximately 190 genera and 1700 species distributed worldwide. Members are characterized by exceptionally hardened exoskeletons that make specimens difficult to pin for collection. The family includes diverse feeding habits, with many species associated with rotting wood or fungus, while some Colydiinae are predatory or feed on living plant tissue.
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.