Malachiinae
Guides
Ablechrus granularis
Ablechrus granularis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Ablechrus belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, a group characterized by soft, flexible elytra. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only four records on iNaturalist as of the source date. The species epithet 'granularis' suggests a granular or roughened surface texture.
Adelestini
Adelestini is a tribe of soft-winged flower beetles (family Melyridae, subfamily Malachiinae). Members are small, elongate beetles with soft elytra characteristic of the family. The tribe was established to accommodate genera with distinctive morphological features separating them from other malachiine tribes, particularly in antennal structure and male genitalia. Species occur primarily in the Old World, with greatest diversity in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions.
Anthocomus pristinus
Anthocomus pristinus is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Melyridae. It belongs to a genus of small, often brightly colored beetles commonly known as malachiid beetles or soft-winged flower beetles. The species is part of the subfamily Malachiinae, which is characterized by flexible elytra and frequent association with flowers. Specific ecological details for A. pristinus remain poorly documented.
Attalus
Attalus sp-one-ariz is an undescribed or provisionally named species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, recorded from Arizona. Members of the genus Attalus are small, often brightly colored beetles associated with flowers and vegetation. This species appears to represent a distinct taxon within the diverse southwestern North American Attalus fauna.
Attalus cinctus
Attalus cinctus is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Melyridae. The 'cf.' designation indicates a specimen resembling A. cinctus but not conclusively identified. Members of this genus are often found in association with flowers and vegetation.
Attalus frosti
Attalus frosti is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The species is known from very few specimens in Missouri, with records from Lichen Glade Natural Area in St. Clair County and a single specimen collected in a malaise trap in central Missouri. It is associated with post oak (Quercus stellata) in dry sandstone woodland habitats. The species appears to be rare and poorly known, with no records since the original collections.
Attalus humeralis
Attalus humeralis is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Melyridae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. The species epithet "humeralis" refers to the shoulder region of the elytra, suggesting distinctive markings or characteristics on the humeral angles. Like other members of the genus Attalus, it belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, a group commonly known as malachite beetles or soft-winged flower beetles. The genus Attalus is diverse and widespread, with species found across multiple continents.
Attalus sp-one-calif
Attalus sp-one-calif is an undescribed or provisionally named species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, known from California. It belongs to the large genus Attalus, which comprises numerous small, often brightly colored beetles associated with flowers and vegetation. The 'sp-one-calif' designation indicates a morphospecies or working name used in collections or regional surveys pending formal description. Like other Attalus species, it is likely a pollen feeder as an adult.
Attalus sp-one-florida
Attalus sp-one-florida is an undescribed species within the genus Attalus, a group of soft-bodied beetles in the family Melyridae (checkered beetles). The informal designation "sp-one-florida" indicates this taxon is known from Florida and has been recognized as a distinct species pending formal description. Members of Attalus are generally small, often brightly colored beetles associated with flowers and vegetation. This species appears to represent a Florida-endemic or regionally restricted population.
Axinotarsus
Axinotarsus is a genus of soft-bodied beetles in the family Melyridae, subfamily Malachiinae. The genus was established by Motschulsky in 1854 and contains approximately 14 described species distributed primarily in Europe. Members of this genus are small, typically elongate beetles with the characteristic flexible elytra typical of malachiine beetles.
Collops flavicinctus
Collops flavicinctus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, subfamily Malachiinae. Members of the genus Collops are recognized as beneficial predators in agricultural systems, particularly in cotton production. The species is documented from the southwestern United States with iNaturalist records from Utah. Like other Collops species, it likely contributes to biological control of pest insects through predation on eggs and small arthropods.
Collops limbellus
collops beetle, soft-winged flower beetle
Collops limbellus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. It belongs to a genus of predatory beetles frequently encountered on flowers, where they feed on smaller arthropods. The species is documented from western North America, with observations spanning arid and semi-arid regions. Like other members of the genus Collops, it likely plays a role as a generalist predator in agricultural and natural systems.
Collops nigritus
Collops nigritus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, subfamily Malachiinae. The genus Collops comprises predatory beetles commonly found on flowers where they feed on other small insects. Members of this genus are recognized as important natural enemies in agricultural systems, particularly in cotton and other crops, where they contribute to biological control of pest populations. Collops nigritus specifically has been documented as occurring in the southwestern United States and is associated with flowering plants in arid and semi-arid habitats.
Collops parvus
Collops parvus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Collops comprises predatory beetles frequently found on flowers, where they feed on other insects. C. parvus is one of numerous small, often brightly colored species in this genus that serve as important natural enemies of pest insects in agricultural and natural ecosystems.
Collops pulchellus
Collops pulchellus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. Records indicate it has been collected on flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) in shortgrass prairie habitats of Oklahoma and New Mexico. The species appears to be associated with late-season flowering of its host plants, with observations in September and October. Like other members of the genus Collops, adults are likely predatory on small insects visiting the same flowers.
Collops quadriguttatus
Collops quadriguttatus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. Members of the genus Collops are frequently encountered on flowers where they feed on pollen and small arthropods. The specific epithet "quadriguttatus" (meaning "four-spotted") likely refers to a characteristic spotted color pattern on the elytra. Soft-winged flower beetles are generally small, active beetles with soft elytra and are important components of flower-visiting insect communities.
Collops sp-one-wyo-cf-simplex
Collops sp-one-wyo-cf-simplex is an undescribed or provisionally named species of soft-winged flower beetle in the genus Collops, family Melyridae. It is recognized from Wyoming specimens that resemble C. simplex but require taxonomic confirmation. Members of this genus are generally small, predatory beetles commonly found on vegetation. This entry reflects provisional identification pending formal description.
Collops tricolor
black-headed melyrid, tri-colored soft-winged flower beetle
Collops tricolor is a small soft-winged flower beetle (family Melyridae) measuring 3.5–4 mm in length. Adults exhibit striking tricoloration: black head, undersides, and legs; rufous labrum and polished thorax; and dark bluish-green to violet elytra with variable rufous margins. The species is locally common in eastern North America from Quebec to Virginia, becoming scarcer westward. Males are distinguished from females by shiny elytra and distinctive triangular basal antennal joints that are as broad as long.
Malachiina
Soft-winged flower beetles
Malachiina is a subtribe of soft-winged flower beetles within the family Melyridae. Members are small, often brightly colored beetles frequently found on flowers and vegetation. The subtribe contains numerous genera and species distributed across multiple continents. They are distinguished within Malachiini by specific morphological characteristics of the male genitalia and other structural features.
Malachiini
Malachiini is a large tribe of soft-winged flower beetles in the family Melyridae, containing approximately 15 genera and at least 70 described species. Members of this tribe are characterized by their soft, flexible elytra and frequent association with flowers. The tribe was established by Fleming in 1821 and has a broad distribution with notable diversity in the Mediterranean region.
Malachius
soft-winged flower beetles
Malachius is a genus of soft-winged flower beetles (family Melyridae) established by Fabricius in 1775. The genus occurs across Europe and has been introduced to North America. Species in this genus exhibit sexual dimorphism and possess larvae with notably advanced morphogenesis at hatching compared to other malachiine beetles.
Malachius capillicornis
Malachius capillicornis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, described by Abeille de Perrin in 1900. It belongs to the genus Malachius, a group of small, often colorful beetles commonly found on flowers. The species is documented from a limited number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or geographically restricted. As with other members of Malachiinae, it likely exhibits the family's characteristic soft elytra and flower-visiting behavior, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Malachius macer
Malachius macer is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. Described by Horn in 1874, this species belongs to a genus commonly associated with flowers and vegetation. Like other malachiine beetles, adults likely feed on pollen and small insects. The species is recorded from British Columbia, Canada, though detailed biological information remains scarce.
Malachius mirandus
Malachius mirandus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1859. The species is known from the Pacific Northwest of North America. As a member of Malachiinae, it likely shares the general habitus of related soft-winged flower beetles, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Melyridae
Soft-winged Flower Beetles, Soft-wing Flower Beetles
Melyridae is a family of beetles in the superfamily Cleroidea, containing over 100 genera worldwide with approximately 520 species in 48 genera in North America. Members are commonly found on flowers, with most adults and larvae being predaceous. The family includes three recognized subfamilies: Dasytinae, Malachiinae, and Melyrinae. Some species, notably in the genus Choresine, have been found to contain potent batrachotoxins, potentially serving as a dietary source for toxic birds and poison-dart frogs.
Tanaops coelestinus
Tanaops coelestinus is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Tanaops belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, commonly known as malachiid beetles or soft-winged flower beetles. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, indicating it is either rare, poorly surveyed, or restricted in distribution. Members of this genus are generally associated with flowers and vegetation where they prey on small arthropods.
Trichochrous aenescens
Trichochrous aenescens is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Trichochrous belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, a group commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles or malachiid beetles. Members of this family are typically found in diverse habitats and are often associated with flowers. The specific epithet "aenescens" refers to a bronze or coppery metallic coloration.
Trichochrous irrasus
Trichochrous irrasus is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Trichochrous belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles. Members of this genus are generally small to medium-sized beetles found in North America. No observations of this species are currently recorded in major biodiversity databases.