Minute-beetle
Guides
Leptoscydmus cavifrons
Leptoscydmus cavifrons is a species of minute rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae. It was described by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1897. The species belongs to the tribe Leptoscydmini, a group of small beetles often referred to as ant-like stone beetles due to their morphology and behavior. Records indicate presence in the eastern United States.
Limulodes paradoxus
Horse-shoe Crab Beetle
Limulodes paradoxus is a minute featherwing beetle (family Ptiliidae) first described by Matthews in 1867. It is commonly known as the Horse-shoe Crab Beetle, likely referring to its distinctive body shape. The species is distributed across the eastern and southeastern United States, with records from Arizona to Massachusetts. As a member of Ptiliidae, it belongs to one of the smallest beetle families, with adults typically measuring less than 1 mm in length.
Mastogenius castlei
Mastogenius castlei is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Champlain and Knull in 1922. The genus Mastogenius comprises some of the smallest buprestids, with adults measuring approximately 2 mm in length. Very little specific information is documented for this species; most knowledge of the genus derives from congeneric species.
Mastogenius subcyaneus
Mastogenius subcyaneus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, one of the smallest members of the family in North America. Adults measure approximately 2 mm in length. The genus Mastogenius belongs to the tribe Trachyini, whose larvae exhibit the unusual habit of mining within leaves rather than boring through wood. The species occurs in North America and has been documented in oak woodland habitats.
Metophthalmus septemstriatus
Metophthalmus septemstriatus is a minute beetle in the family Latridiidae, commonly known as plaster beetles or minute brown scavenger beetles. The genus Metophthalmus contains small, inconspicuous species associated with damp, moldy environments. The specific epithet 'septemstriatus' refers to seven stripes, likely describing elytral patterning. Like other latridiids, this species is presumed to feed on fungal spores and hyphae, though direct observations are limited.
Micridium
Micridium is a genus of minute feather-winged beetles in the family Ptiliidae. Members of this genus are among the smallest beetles known. The genus was established by Motschulsky in 1869 and contains at least two described species, including one named in honor of naturalist David Attenborough.
Microstagetus
Microstagetus is a genus of minute hooded beetles in the family Corylophidae, established by Wollaston in 1861. The genus is poorly known, with very few documented observations—only three records on iNaturalist as of the data cutoff. Members of this genus are among the smallest beetles, reflecting the general characteristics of Corylophidae. The scarcity of records suggests either genuine rarity, cryptic habits, or undercollecting due to their minute size.
Migneauxia lederi
Migneauxia lederi is a small beetle species in the family Latridiidae (plaster beetles), described by Reitter in 1875. The genus Migneauxia contains minute beetles often associated with damp, moldy environments. This species has been recorded from Belgium and Denmark based on occurrence data.
Murmidius ovalis
minute beetle, murmidius beetle
Murmidius ovalis is a small beetle species in the family Murmidiidae, commonly known as the minute beetle or murmidius beetle. Originally described as Hister ovalis by Beck in 1817, it is a widespread species found across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species has also been recorded from the Galápagos Islands.
Oropodes
Oropodes is a genus of minute rove beetles in the subfamily Pselaphinae, characterized by reduced elytra and compact body form typical of the tribe Trichonychini. Members are among the smallest staphylinid beetles, with most species measuring under 2 mm. The genus was established by Casey in 1893 and is currently placed within the subtribe Trichonychina. These beetles inhabit forest litter and soil microhabitats where they function as microbivores or predators on small arthropods.
Orthoperus scutellaris
minute hooded beetle
Orthoperus scutellaris is a species of minute hooded beetle in the family Corylophidae, first described by LeConte in 1878. It is one of the smallest beetles in North America, measuring less than 1 mm in length. The species belongs to a family of beetles commonly known as minute hooded beetles or minute fungus beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Physemus minutus
minute marsh-loving beetle
Physemus minutus is a minute marsh-loving beetle in the family Limnichidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854. This small beetle is known from limited records across Central America and North America. Like other members of the Limnichidae family, it is associated with wetland and marsh habitats. The species is rarely encountered and poorly documented in scientific literature.
Pselaphus bellax
Pselaphus bellax is a small rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, a group commonly known as ant-loving beetles. The species was described by Thomas Casey in 1893 and is distributed across much of Canada and the northern United States. Like other pselaphines, it is believed to be associated with ant colonies, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Records are sparse, with few observations in citizen science databases.
Pselaptus
Pselaptus is a genus of minute rove beetles in the subfamily Pselaphinae, family Staphylinidae. Members of this genus are characterized by their small size and the compact body form typical of pselaphine beetles. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1880. Like other pselaphines, species in this genus are presumed to inhabit leaf litter and soil microhabitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Reichenbachia spatulifer
ant-loving beetle
Reichenbachia spatulifer is a minute rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, commonly known as ant-loving beetles. It is one of approximately 70 species in the genus Reichenbachia, a group characterized by their myrmecophilous associations. The species was described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1897 and is broadly distributed across northern North America.
Scymnus difficilis
dusky lady beetle
Scymnus difficilis is a minute lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, described by Casey in 1899. Adults measure approximately 1.8–2.1 mm in length. The species is known from southern California and is part of the diverse Scymnus genus, which contains many small, often dark-colored lady beetles commonly referred to as dusky lady beetles.
Scymnus loewii
Loew's Lady Beetle
Scymnus loewii is a minute lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as Loew's lady beetle. It is among the smallest members of the family, with adults measuring under 2.5 mm. The species has a broad intercontinental distribution spanning Central America, North America, and Oceania.
Sebaga ocampi
Sebaga ocampi is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) described by Orlando Park in 1945. It belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of minute beetles often associated with leaf litter and soil habitats. The species is known from limited records in the south-central United States and Mexico.
Sericoderus lateralis
minute hooded beetle
Sericoderus lateralis is a species of minute hooded beetle in the family Corylophidae, first described by Gyllenhal in 1827. It is one of the smallest beetles, with adults typically measuring under 2 mm in length. The species has a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents including Africa, Australia, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), North America, and Southern Asia. Its wide range suggests either exceptional dispersal capabilities or cryptic species diversity requiring further investigation.
Sumitrosis triplehorni
Sumitrosis triplehorni is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is known only from southern Florida and the Florida Keys, making it a geographically restricted species. Adults are among the smallest members of the genus, measuring under 3.5 mm in length.
Syzeton ouachitanus
Syzeton ouachitanus is a small beetle species in the family Aderidae (ant-like leaf beetles), originally described as Zonantes ouachitanus in 1990 and later transferred to the genus Syzeton. The specific epithet refers to the Ouachita Mountains or Ouachita region of North America. The species is currently recognized as a synonym in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing revisionary work in this taxonomically challenging family. Like other aderids, it is likely minute, ant-mimicking, and associated with leaf litter or fungal habitats.
Teretriosoma paradoxum
Teretriosoma paradoxum is a small clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Lewis in 1888. It belongs to the tribe Teretriini, a group of minute histerids often associated with decaying organic matter and fungi. The species is documented from Central America, with records from Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it likely inhabits microhabitats in forested environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Teretrius placitus
clown beetle
Teretrius placitus is a small clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Horn in 1880. The species belongs to the subfamily Abraeinae, a group characterized by minute body size and reduced elytra. It is known from limited collection records in the southwestern United States, specifically Nevada. As with most Teretriini, detailed biological information remains sparse due to its cryptic habits and small size.
Toramus pulchellus
Beautiful Pleasing Fungus Beetle
Toramus pulchellus is a minute species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae. Adults measure only 1.3–1.6 mm in length and exhibit variable coloration from yellow-brown to dark. The species occurs across North America and is associated with fungal habitats, consistent with the feeding ecology of the family.
Trichonyx
ant-loving beetles
Trichonyx is a genus of minute ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus contains at least two described species: Trichonyx antennatus (Raffray, 1877) and Trichonyx sulcicollis (Reichenbach, 1816). Members of this genus are myrmecophilous, living in association with ants. These beetles are small, compact, and exhibit reduced wing structures typical of the Pselaphinae.
Xeropsamobeus acerbus
Xeropsamobeus acerbus is a minute aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, measuring approximately 3 mm in length. It is currently known only from Texas, though its range likely extends into neighboring Louisiana. The species has a documented association with the Texas leafcutter ant (Atta texana).
Zagloba hystrix
Zagloba hystrix is a minute lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, first described by Casey in 1899. Adults measure approximately 1.45–1.75 mm in length. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Texas. It is among the smallest coccinellid beetles documented in the region.