Melandryidae
Guides
Abdera
Abdera is a genus of false darkling beetles (family Melandryidae) established by Stephens in 1832. The genus is found in northern Europe, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As a member of the family Melandryidae, Abdera species are associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The genus contains multiple species, though specific taxonomic boundaries and species counts require further verification.
Abdera bicincta
Two-banded Comb-clawed Beetle
Abdera bicincta is a species of comb-clawed beetle in the family Melandryidae. The species epithet "bicincta" refers to the two-banded color pattern characteristic of this beetle. Members of the genus Abdera are small to medium-sized beetles typically associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. Specific ecological details for A. bicincta remain poorly documented in published literature.
Amblyctis praeses
Beech False Darkling Beetle
Amblyctis praeses is a small false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1879. It is known from eastern Canada, specifically Ontario and Québec. The species has received limited scientific attention, with minimal published information on its biology and ecology.
Dolotarsus
Dolotarsus is a genus of beetles in the family Melandryidae, established by Jacquelin du Val in 1863. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information available on its constituent species. It belongs to a family commonly known as false darkling beetles, though specific traits distinguishing Dolotarsus from related genera remain obscure. Records indicate presence in Northern Europe and Sweden.
Emmesa
Emmesa is a genus of false darkling beetles in the family Melandryidae, established by Newman in 1838. The genus comprises approximately five described species. These beetles belong to the order Coleoptera and are classified within the family Melandryidae, a group commonly known as false darkling beetles.
Emmesa blackmani
Blackman's False Darkling Beetle
Emmesa blackmani is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, described by Hatch in 1927. It is known from a small number of observations in eastern Canada, primarily Québec. The species belongs to a genus of beetles associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats in forest ecosystems.
Emmesa labiata
Lipped False Darkling Beetle
Emmesa labiata is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae. It is found in eastern North America, with records from New Brunswick to Ontario and Québec. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1824. Common name is the Lipped False Darkling Beetle.
Emmesa testacea
Tiled False Darkling Beetle
Emmesa testacea is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae. The common name "Tiled False Darkling Beetle" refers to this species, though published natural history information is extremely limited. The species is listed in museum collections but lacks substantial observational or ecological documentation in scientific literature. As a member of Melandryidae, it belongs to a family of beetles typically associated with decaying wood and fungal substrates in forested habitats.
Enchodes
Enchodes is a genus of beetles in the family Melandryidae (false darkling beetles), established by LeConte in 1866. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The genus contains multiple species distributed primarily in North America.
Enchodes sericea
Enchodes sericea is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae. It is native to North America, with records from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The species was described by Haldeman in 1848. As a member of the Melandryidae, it belongs to a family of beetles commonly associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats.
Hypulini
Hypulini is a tribe of false darkling beetles (family Melandryidae) first described by Gistel in 1848. The tribe has a fossil record extending to at least the late Eocene, with the extinct genus Madelinia gedanoposita described from Baltic amber. The tribe's present-day geographic distribution has been mapped in recent taxonomic studies.
Melandrya striata
Striated False Darkling Beetle
Melandrya striata is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is distributed across much of Canada, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The species is part of a family of beetles commonly associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. As a member of the genus Melandrya, it shares the general ecology of this group, which is adapted to moist, decomposing substrates in forested environments.
Microscapha clavicornis
Microscapha clavicornis is a small beetle species in the family Melandryidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. It belongs to a genus characterized by compact body forms and clubbed antennae, as suggested by the species epithet. The species has been documented in eastern Canada, with records from New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. Like other members of Melandryidae, it is likely associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
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.
Orchesia castanea
Orchesia castanea is a beetle species in the family Melandryidae, described by Melsheimer in 1846. It belongs to a family commonly known as false darkling beetles. The species has been documented in several Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. Information regarding its specific biology and ecology remains limited.
Orchesia ornata
Orchesia ornata is a small beetle in the family Melandryidae (false darkling beetles), described by Horn in 1888. It belongs to a genus of beetles typically associated with decaying wood and fungi. Very little published information exists specifically for this species, though its genus is known from forested habitats in North America.
Orchesia ovata
Orchesia ovata is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, described by Laliberté in 1967. It belongs to a family of beetles commonly associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The species has been documented in eastern Canada, with records from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec. Like other members of its genus, it likely inhabits forested environments where it contributes to the decomposition of woody material.
Orchesiini
false darkling beetles
Orchesiini is a tribe of false darkling beetles within the family Melandryidae, established by Mulsant in 1856. The tribe contains at least three genera—Orchesia, Microscapha, and Lederia—with approximately seven described species. These beetles are classified in the superfamily Tenebrionoidea and are part of the diverse assemblage of darkling beetle relatives. Members of Orchesiini are small to medium-sized beetles found primarily in forested habitats where they occur in association with decaying wood and fungi.
Osphya
false darkling beetles
Osphya is a genus of false darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Melandryidae: Osphyinae) comprising approximately seven to ten described species. The genus originated in the mid-Cretaceous and exhibits a discontinuous, uneven distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, with highest species richness in the Mediterranean region of Europe. It is considered a relict insect group with conservative ecological preferences.
Osphya varians
Variable False Darkling Beetle
Osphya varians is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae. It is known from eastern Canada, specifically Ontario and Québec. The specific epithet "varians" suggests variable characteristics, though detailed documentation of this variability is limited in available sources. Like other members of Melandryidae, it belongs to a family of beetles commonly associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats.
Phloiotrya concolor
Uniform False Darkling Beetle
Phloiotrya concolor is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, first described by LeConte in 1866. The species epithet 'concolor' refers to its uniform coloration. It is one of relatively few species in the genus Phloiotrya, which belongs to a family of beetles commonly associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats.
Phloiotrya fusca
Dark False Darkling Beetle
Phloiotrya fusca is a small beetle in the family Melandryidae, commonly known as the Dark False Darkling Beetle. It is a saproxylic species associated with decaying wood. The species has been documented in eastern Canada, with records from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
Phloiotrya riversi
Phloiotrya riversi is a species of beetle in the family Melandryidae, a group commonly known as false darkling beetles. The genus Phloiotrya is part of this small family of beetles, which are typically associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. No observations of this species have been recorded on iNaturalist, indicating it is likely rare, poorly documented, or has a restricted distribution. The specific epithet "riversi" suggests the species may have been named in honor of a person, though the authority and original description details are not readily available.
Phryganophilus collaris
Collared False Darkling Beetle
A small false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, recognized by the distinctive pale pronotal collar that contrasts with its darker body. The species occurs across northern and western North America, with records from boreal and montane regions of Canada. Like other melandryids, it is associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The specific epithet and common name both reference the contrasting light-colored band across the pronotum.
Prothalpia
Prothalpia is a genus of false darkling beetles in the family Melandryidae, established by LeConte in 1862. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across North America and East Asia. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles associated with decaying wood and forest habitats. The genus is part of the diverse assemblage of saproxylic beetles that contribute to wood decomposition processes.
Prothalpia holmbergi
Prothalpia holmbergi is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae. It is distributed across northern North America, with records from Alaska and British Columbia. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1852.
Rushia californica
California False Darkling Beetle
Rushia californica is a beetle species in the family Melandryidae, commonly known as the California False Darkling Beetle. It was described by Fall in 1907. The species is known from limited observations in western North America.
Scotochroa
Scotochroa is a genus of beetles in the family Melandryidae, established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. The genus belongs to the order Coleoptera and is part of the diverse assemblage of darkling beetles and related groups within Tenebrionoidea. Records indicate presence in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont. The genus name has been historically confused with moth species epithets, leading to taxonomic disambiguation challenges.
Scotochroa basalis
Basal False Darkling Beetle
Scotochroa basalis is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. It is known from western and central Canada, with confirmed records in Alberta, British Columbia, and Newfoundland. The species is rarely encountered, with only five observations documented on iNaturalist as of the available data. Like other members of Melandryidae, it likely inhabits forested environments where it develops in decaying wood.
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.
Serropalpus substriatus
Striated False Darkling Beetle
Serropalpus substriatus is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae. The species is known from coniferous forest habitats, with documented larval development in giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). It occurs across much of Canada, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Labrador. The species is rarely encountered, with limited biological data available.
Spilotus quadripustulatus
Spilotus quadripustulatus is a beetle species in the family Melandryidae, a group commonly known as false darkling beetles. The species was described by Melsheimer in 1846. It is known from eastern Canada, with documented occurrences in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. The specific epithet 'quadripustulatus' refers to four spots or markings, likely describing a distinctive pattern on the elytra.
Symphora
Symphora is a genus of beetles in the family Melandryidae, order Coleoptera. The genus was established by LeConte in 1866. Members of this genus are part of the false darkling beetle family, which consists of small to medium-sized beetles often associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. Observations of Symphora have been recorded primarily in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Symphora flavicollis
Red-necked False Darkling Beetle
Symphora flavicollis, commonly known as the Red-necked False Darkling Beetle, is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae. The species was described by Haldeman in 1848 and is distinguished by its characteristic yellowish or reddish pronotum that contrasts with the darker body. It belongs to a small genus of beetles that are often associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats.
Symphora rugosa
Symphora rugosa is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, first described by Haldeman in 1848. The species is recorded from eastern Canada, with documented occurrences in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. As a member of the Melandryidae, it belongs to a family of small to medium-sized beetles commonly associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The specific epithet 'rugosa' refers to a wrinkled or rough surface texture, likely describing some aspect of the beetle's cuticle or elytra.
Xylitini
Xylitini is a tribe of darkling beetles within the family Melandryidae, established by C.G. Thomson in 1864. Members of this tribe are primarily associated with dead and decaying wood, where they develop as larvae. The tribe includes several genera of small to medium-sized beetles that are part of the broader saproxylic beetle community.