Mycophagous
Guides
Acrotrichini
Acrotrichini is a tribe of minute featherwing beetles (family Ptiliidae) characterized by their extremely small body size—among the smallest of all beetles. Members possess distinctive wing morphology with reduced venation and fringed margins that enable flight despite their diminutive size. The tribe was established by Reitter in 1909 and is classified within the subfamily Ptiliinae. Acrotrichini includes the genus Acrotrichis, which contains numerous species distributed across multiple continents.
Amedia
Amedia is a genus of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) established by Jaschhof in 1997. It belongs to the subfamily Lestremiinae and tribe Strobliellini. The genus comprises small, delicate flies whose larvae develop in association with fungi, particularly on decaying wood.
Anisotoma geminata
Anisotoma geminata is a small round fungus beetle in the family Leiodidae, a group specialized for feeding on fungal fruiting bodies. The species was described by Horn in 1880 and occurs across eastern North America, with records spanning from Canada to the southern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with decaying fungi in forest habitats.
Asynapta
Asynapta is a genus of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae, subfamily Porricondylinae. The genus contains approximately 49 species globally, with Asynapta groverae being the only member documented in South Korea. This species is notable as an invasive mycophagous pest that has established populations in indoor environments since 2008. The genus is characterized by small, delicate flies typical of the Cecidomyiidae family.
Atomaria
silken fungus beetles
Atomaria is a genus of silken fungus beetles in the family Cryptophagidae, comprising more than 160 described species. These small beetles are associated with fungal habitats and are part of the diverse beetle fauna found in decaying organic matter. The genus was established by Stephens in 1829 and remains taxonomically active with ongoing species descriptions.
Atomariinae
silken fungus beetles
Atomariinae is a subfamily of small beetles within the family Cryptophagidae, commonly known as silken fungus beetles. The group comprises approximately 8 genera and more than 170 described species, including the well-known genus Atomaria. Members are generally associated with fungal habitats. The subfamily was established by J.L. LeConte in 1861.
Axylophilus
Axylophilus is a genus of ant-like leaf beetles in the family Aderidae, established by Casey in 1895. Members of this genus are small, inconspicuous beetles associated with decaying wood and leaf litter habitats. The genus is part of a family historically placed within Tenebrionoidea, though Aderidae systematics remain under study. Very few observations or studies document this genus directly.
Biphyllidae
False Skin Beetles
Biphyllidae, commonly known as false skin beetles, is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cleroidea. The family contains approximately 195 described species distributed globally except New Zealand. Members are primarily found in concealed microhabitats including under bark of dead trees and in leaf litter. The family includes 11 extant genera plus one fossil genus from Late Cretaceous Taimyr amber.
Bolitophagus corticola
Bolitophagus corticola is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The species is associated with woody habitats, particularly bark and decaying wood. It is native to eastern North America, with records from the Canadian Maritimes through Ontario and Quebec. The genus Bolitophagus is mycophagous, feeding on fungi.
Caenocara
puffball beetles
Caenocara is a genus of small beetles in the family Ptinidae (subfamily Dorcatominae), commonly known as puffball beetles. The genus was established by C.G. Thomson in 1859. Members are associated with fungi, particularly puffball mushrooms, which serve as their primary habitat and food source. The genus has been documented across northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Callomyia
Callomyia is a genus of flat-footed flies (Diptera: Platypezidae) comprising approximately 24 described species distributed across the Holarctic and Oriental regions. The genus is distinguished by a setulose R1 wing vein and enlarged female antennae. Larvae are xylobiont, developing under bark of fallen trees where they feed on fungal mycelia. Adults are typically found in forested habitats and are active from spring through autumn.
Cartodere australica
Cartodere australica is a species of minute brown scavenger beetle in the family Latridiidae. Members of this genus are typically found in association with decaying plant matter and fungal growth. The specific epithet 'australica' indicates an Australian distribution. Like other latridiids, this species is minute in size and feeds on fungal spores and hyphae.
Ciidae
Minute Tree-Fungus Beetles, Shelf Fungus Beetles
Ciidae, commonly known as minute tree-fungus beetles or shelf fungus beetles, are a family of small beetles within the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. Adults and larvae inhabit fruiting bodies of bracket fungi (Polyporales), particularly Polyporaceae and Corticiaceae, where they burrow inside the fungal tissue. The family is most diverse in warmer regions but has a cosmopolitan distribution extending to northern latitudes including Scandinavia. Development from egg to adult can occur in as little as two months, and some species are parthenogenetic. A few species, notably Cis chinensis, are recognized as pests of commercially dried fungi.
Ciini
Ciini is a tribe of minute beetles within the family Ciidae, commonly known as minute tree-fungus beetles. The tribe contains at least 30 genera and was established by Leach in 1819. Members are small, mycophagous beetles associated with fungal growth on wood.
Cis
tree-fungus beetles
Cis is a genus of tree-fungus beetles in the family Ciidae, first described by Latreille in 1797. The genus contains at least 150 described species, all of which are associated with fungal habitats. These small beetles are specialized inhabitants of wood-decaying fungi and are found across multiple continents including Europe and North America.
Cis quadridentatus
Cis quadridentatus is a species of minute tree-fungus beetle in the family Ciidae, a group of small beetles specialized for life on fungal fruiting bodies. The species was described by Dury in 1917 and is known from North America. Like other members of the genus Cis, it is associated with wood-decaying fungi, particularly polypore bracket fungi. Information on this species is limited, with only one observation documented in iNaturalist.
Colenis impunctata
Colenis impunctata is a species of round fungus beetle in the family Leiodidae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. The species is found in North America, with documented occurrences across a wide geographic range including much of the United States and Canada. As a member of the round fungus beetles, it likely inhabits environments associated with fungal resources. The species name 'impunctata' refers to the lack of punctures or spots, suggesting a relatively smooth elytral surface compared to some congeners.
Colon magnicolle
Colon magnicolle is a species of round fungus beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Mannerheim in 1853. It is distributed across northern North America, with records from Canada and the northern United States. As a member of the genus Colon, it is associated with fungal habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Corticaria elongata
minute brown scavenger beetle
Corticaria elongata is a minute brown scavenger beetle in the family Latridiidae, first described by Gyllenhal in 1827. This species belongs to a group of small beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter and fungal growth. The species has been documented in European localities including the Azores (Graciosa, São Miguel, Terceira), Montenegro, and Serbia.
Cryptamorpha desjardinsii
Desjardin's beetle, Desjardin's flat beetle
Cryptamorpha desjardinsii is a small silvanid flat bark beetle, originally described from tropical Asia in 1844. It has established cosmopolitan distribution through human-mediated introduction, now occurring across Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. The species feeds on mildews and moulds, particularly on plants such as flax. Its spread to New Zealand is documented as occurring via Australia.
Cryptophaginae
silken fungus beetles
Cryptophaginae is a subfamily of small beetles within the family Cryptophagidae, commonly known as silken fungus beetles. The subfamily contains approximately 11 genera and more than 180 described species. Members are associated with fungal habitats and are often found in decaying organic matter. The subfamily was established by William Kirby in 1826.
Cryptophagus acutangulus
Acute-angled Fungus Beetle, Silken Fungus Beetle
Cryptophagus acutangulus is a small mycophagous beetle in the family Cryptophagidae, commonly known as the acute-angled fungus beetle or silken fungus beetle. The species has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, occurring across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, though it is most abundant in temperate and boreal forest zones. It feeds primarily on fungi, with larvae and adults consuming fungal spores and hyphae. The complete life cycle from egg to adult has been described, and the species plays a documented role in fungal spore dispersal through internal and external transmission mechanisms.
Cyparium
Cyparium is a genus of rove beetles in the subfamily Scaphidiinae, described by Erichson in 1845. The genus comprises approximately 55 species with strongest representation in the Neotropical and Oriental regions. Species are associated with fungal substrates. The genus was recently revised with descriptions of five new Brazilian species.
Dacnini
Dacnini is a tribe of pleasing fungus beetles (family Erotylidae) established by Gistel in 1848. Members of this tribe are characterized by their association with fungal substrates and exhibit morphological adaptations for this ecological niche. The tribe is part of the subfamily Erotylinae and represents a distinct lineage within the diverse Erotylidae family. Dacnini species are primarily found in forested habitats where fungal resources are abundant.
Decapauropus lambertoni
Decapauropus lambertoni is a species of minute myriapod in the class Pauropoda, described by Remy in 1956. Pauropods are small, soft-bodied soil-dwelling arthropods rarely encountered due to their cryptic lifestyle. The genus Decapauropus is characterized by having ten legs (five pairs) in adults, distinguishing it from the more common eight-legged (four-paired) pauropods. This species has been recorded across disjunct regions including Africa, South America, and Southern Asia, suggesting either broad distribution or potential cryptic diversity requiring taxonomic revision.
Derodontus
tooth-necked fungus beetles
Derodontus is a genus of tooth-necked fungus beetles comprising approximately eleven described species. Members are mycophagous, feeding on fungi. The genus has a Holarctic distribution with species recorded from North America, Europe, and Asia. Derodontus macularis has been documented in well-preserved natural forest habitats in eastern Moravia, Czech Republic.
Diadocidia ferruginosa
Diadocidia ferruginosa is a Palearctic fungus gnat species in the family Diadocidiidae. Larvae construct long dry silken tubes beneath bark or within decaying wood. The species has been associated with the fungal genus Peniophora. Adult ecology remains poorly documented.
Diaperis
Diaperis is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Geoffroy in 1762. Species occur across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The genus includes mycophagous species such as D. boleti, which feeds on wood-decomposing fungi. Some species were formerly classified under the genus Allophasia.
Dienerella ruficollis
Red-necked plaster beetle
A small beetle in the family Latridiidae, commonly known as the red-necked plaster beetle. This species is associated with damp, moldy environments and has been introduced to North America from Europe. It is frequently found in buildings and other human-modified habitats where fungal growth occurs.
Drosophila tripunctata
Drosophila tripunctata is a mycophagous vinegar fly in the Immigrans-tripunctata radiation of subgenus Drosophila. It exhibits tolerance to α-amanitin, a cyclopeptide mushroom toxin found in Amanita mushrooms that inhibits RNA polymerase II, allowing it to utilize toxic mushrooms as larval hosts. Genetic variation in toxin tolerance exists among populations, and this adaptation appears intrinsic to the fly's genome rather than mediated by gut microbiota. The species shows genetic variation in host preference within and among populations, and adults display acclimation and adaptive behavioral responses to combined temperature and desiccation stress.
Dryadaula
Dryadaula is a genus of small moths in the family Dryadaulidae (formerly placed in Tineidae), established by Edward Meyrick in 1893. The genus comprises approximately 60 described species distributed across the Palaearctic region, with additional records from Hawaii and other regions. Species are characterized by small size (wingspans typically 7-15 mm), inconspicuous coloration, and concealed lifestyles associated with dead wood and fungal habitats. Several species have been described in recent decades, including four new species from China in 2021 and one from Japan in 2024, indicating ongoing taxonomic discovery.
Epidapus
fungus gnats
Epidapus is a genus of fungus gnats within the family Sciaridae, established by Haliday in 1851. The genus comprises approximately 30 described species distributed primarily across Europe, with records from Scandinavia and other regions. Species inhabit diverse environments including forest litter, decaying wood, and fungal substrates. Larval stages are typically associated with decomposing organic matter and mycelial networks.
Eustrophus tomentosus
Eustrophus tomentosus is a species of polypore fungus beetle in the family Tetratomidae, found in North America. It is characterized by abundant yellowish-orange setae covering the elytra surface. The species can be distinguished from related genera by the absence of a prothoracic episternal transverse suture. As a member of the polypore fungus beetles, it is associated with bracket fungi in forested habitats.
Euxestidae
Euxestidae is a small family of beetles in the superfamily Coccinelloidea, containing approximately 70 extant species across 10 genera. Formerly treated as a subfamily of Cerylonidae, they were elevated to family status based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Members are primarily tropical and subtropical in distribution, with most species occurring in the Afro-Eurasian region. They inhabit concealed microhabitats including decomposing wood, leaf litter, and the nests of social insects.
Exechiopsis
fungus gnats
Exechiopsis is a genus of fungus gnats in the family Mycetophilidae, established by Tuomikoski in 1966. The genus contains approximately 80 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with particular diversity in Europe and Asia. Several species were formerly placed in the genus Xenexechia, which is now treated as a synonym. Species identification relies primarily on male genitalia morphology.
Gyrophaena fuscicollis
Gyrophaena fuscicollis is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. It belongs to the genus Gyrophaena, a group of mycophagous beetles commonly associated with fungi. The species was described by Casey in 1906 and is recorded from eastern North America.
Hemipeplus
Hemipeplus is a genus of beetles in the family Mycteridae, subfamily Hemipeplinae. The genus contains 57 described species distributed across pantropical regions. Species are primarily mycophagous, feeding on fungi. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with numerous new species described in 2025.
Ithycerus noveboracensis
New York Weevil
Ithycerus noveboracensis is a primitive weevil and the sole living member of the family Ithyceridae. It is among the largest North American weevils, measuring 12–18 mm. The species is characterized by its distinctive spotted coloration and bristly body texture. It occurs in deciduous forests of eastern North America, where adults feed on fungi and sap flows from hardwood trees.
Leiodini
round fungus beetles
Leiodini is a tribe of small beetles within the family Leiodidae, commonly known as round fungus beetles. The tribe contains over 400 described species distributed across 19 genera. Members of this tribe are primarily associated with fungal habitats, particularly decomposing fungi and related organic matter. The group was established by Fleming in 1821 and represents a significant component of the beetle fauna in forest ecosystems.
Litargus tetraspilotus
Four-spotted Hairy Fungus Beetle
Litargus tetraspilotus is a small hairy fungus beetle in the family Mycetophagidae, first described from North America in 1856 and more recently recorded in Brazil. It feeds on powdery mildew fungi (Oidium sp.) and has been studied as a potential biological control agent for fungal pathogens on fruit trees. Population dynamics show seasonal variation tied to humidity and rainfall patterns.
Lonchaeidae
Lance Flies
Lonchaeidae, commonly known as lance flies, is a family of acalyptrate dipteran flies comprising approximately 611 described species across 10 genera. These small, robust flies are characterized by blue-black or metallic bodies and are predominantly associated with wooded habitats worldwide. The family exhibits diverse larval ecology, with most species being phytophagous on damaged plant tissues, though coprophagous, mycophagous, saprophagous, and predatory habits are also documented. Several species are significant agricultural pests, particularly of figs, cassava, and conifer seeds, while others develop in bark beetle tunnels, decaying wood, or fungal fruiting bodies.
Micromyinae
Micromyine Wood Midges
Micromyinae is a subfamily of wood midges in the family Cecidomyiidae, comprising at least 55 genera and more than 650 described species. Members were formerly classified within subfamily Lestremiinae. All species in this subfamily are mycophagous, feeding on fungi. The subfamily includes numerous fossil genera preserved in amber deposits dating from the Albian to Eocene.
Micropeplinae
Micropeplinae is a small subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) characterized by 9-segmented antennae with single-segmented clubs and a tarsal formula of 4-4-4 (appearing as 3-3-3). The group comprises approximately six extant genera worldwide, including Micropeplus, Kalissus, Cerapeplus, Peplomicrus, and Arrhenopeplus, plus the extinct †Protopeplus from Burmese amber. Species are primarily associated with moist microhabitats and feed on mold spores and fungal hyphae.
Monotoma
Monotoma is a genus of small beetles in the family Monotomidae, first described by Herbst in 1793. The genus contains numerous species distributed across multiple continents. At least one species, Monotoma testacea, has been reared in laboratory conditions, revealing a rapid life cycle of 34–42 days from egg to adult. The genus is divided into subgenera, with morphological differences in larval setae proposed as diagnostic characters.
Monotomidae
Minute Clubbed Beetles
Monotomidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Nitiduloidea, containing approximately 240 species in 33 genera. The family exhibits diverse ecological habits: members occur under tree bark, in decaying vegetation, on flowers, and in ant nests. Some species are mycophagous, feeding on ascomycete fungi, while others are predatory. The genus Rhizophagus includes species that prey on bark beetles and their immature stages.
Murmidiidae
Murmidiidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Coccinelloidea, containing approximately 34 described species across four genera. The family was historically classified within Cerylonidae but has been recognized as distinct based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Members are primarily associated with decaying wood habitats and are considered mycophagous. The cosmopolitan species Murmidius ovalis has been documented as a pest of stored food products.
Mycetaeidae
Mycetaeidae is a small family of beetles in the superfamily Coccinelloidea, established as distinct from Endomychidae based on morphological and molecular evidence. The family contains three genera: Agaricophilus (one species, Europe), Mycetaea (two species, North America, Europe, South Africa, and Canary Islands), and Afromycetaea (seven species, sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar). The family is confirmed as monophyletic and sister to Cerasommatidiidae. Members of the genus Mycetaea are known to be mycophagous, feeding on molds.
Mycetophagidae
Hairy Fungus Beetles
Mycetophagidae, commonly known as hairy fungus beetles, is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. The family comprises approximately 200 species across 18 genera worldwide. Species range from 1.0 to 6.5 mm in length. Both larvae and adults inhabit decaying leaf litter, fungi, and subcortical environments, with most species feeding on fungi.
Mycetophagus flexuosus
hairy fungus beetle
Mycetophagus flexuosus is a hairy fungus beetle in the family Mycetophagidae. The species occurs in North America and has been documented in association with several polypore and gilled fungi. Like other members of its family, it is associated with fungal fruiting bodies.
Mycodrosophila
mushroom flies
Mycodrosophila is a genus of small vinegar flies comprising approximately 120-130 described species. Members are obligately mycophagous, meaning they depend on fungi throughout their entire life cycle. The genus belongs to the monophyletic Zygothrica genus group alongside Hirtodrosophila, Paramycodrosophila, and Zygothrica. Species are distributed across the Neotropical and Palearctic regions, with some showing transcontinental ranges.
Mycophila
wood midges
Mycophila is a genus of cecidomyiid midges established by Ephraim Porter Felt in 1911, comprising seven described species. Species within this genus are associated with fungal substrates, with some documented as pests of cultivated mushrooms. The genus exhibits diverse reproductive strategies including paedogenesis and parthenogenesis. At least three species have been recorded from China, with additional species known from North America and Europe.
Neoempheria macularis
Neoempheria macularis is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, first described by Johannsen in 1910. It belongs to a genus containing over 1,100 species in South and Central America. The species was the first Neoempheria species documented with confirmed larval associations with fungi in the Neotropical region, specifically reared from mushrooms in Brazil.
Oxyporinae
Cross-toothed Rove Beetles
Oxyporinae is a subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing a single genus, Oxyporus, with approximately 132 species distributed worldwide. These beetles are obligate fungivores with a life cycle tightly linked to fungi. They are notable for their distinctive mandibular and mouthpart morphology.
Ozotomerus
Ozotomerus is a genus of fungus weevils in the family Anthribidae, established by Perroud in 1853. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their distinctive elongated snout and association with fungal substrates. The genus is distributed across various regions with documented observations primarily from the Americas. As with other anthribids, species in this genus are likely mycophagous, feeding on fungal growth on decaying wood and plant material.
Pallodes austrinus
A small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described in 1988 from North American specimens. Adults are 3–4 mm long and have been documented on fruiting bodies of various mushroom genera. The species is one of the more recently described members of the genus Pallodes.
Pegomya geniculata
Pegomya geniculata is a small fly in the family Anthomyiidae, known for its specialized relationship with fungi. The species has been documented breeding within the fruiting bodies of mushrooms, particularly Verpa bohemica. Its known distribution spans western Europe and eastern North America.
Phaenithon
Phaenithon is a genus of fungus weevils in the family Anthribidae, first described by Schoenherr in 1826. Members of this genus are characterized by their association with fungal substrates and distinctive morphological features. The genus is part of the diverse weevil superfamily Curculionoidea, though Anthribidae are distinguished by straight rather than elbowed antennae. At least one species, Phaenithon semigriseus, has been documented in photographic records.
Phloeodes
diabolical ironclad beetle
Phloeodes is a genus of ironclad beetles in the family Zopheridae, native to western North America. The genus includes the well-known species Phloeodes diabolicus, commonly called the diabolical ironclad beetle, which has attracted scientific attention for its exceptional mechanical durability. Members of this genus are flightless, have heavily sclerotized exoskeletons, and feed on fungi growing under tree bark. The genus has been synonymized with Nosoderma in some taxonomic treatments, though Phloeodes remains in widespread use.
Phloeodes plicatus
Wrinkled Ironclad Beetle
Phloeodes plicatus, commonly known as the Wrinkled Ironclad Beetle, is a flightless beetle in the family Zopheridae. It is closely related to Phloeodes diabolicus, the diabolical ironclad beetle, and shares the remarkable structural durability characteristic of this genus. The species has been reclassified under the genus Nosoderma in some taxonomic treatments.
Phloeonomus
Protea Rove Beetles
Phloeonomus is a genus of ocellate rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Omaliinae, containing approximately eight described species. Species within this genus are obligate saproxylic beetles associated with decaying wood and polypore fungi. The larval stages have been characterized for at least one species (P. punctipennis), showing three instars with morphological differences in antennal, leg, and urogomphal proportions between early and late instars.
Phoenicobiella
Phoenicobiella is a genus of fungus weevils in the family Anthribidae, established by T.D.A. Cockerell in 1906. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with fungal substrates. The genus contains relatively few described species and has been documented primarily from North America. As with other anthribids, adults and larvae are likely mycophagous.
Pisenus humeralis
Pisenus humeralis is a species of polypore fungus beetle in the family Tetratomidae, originally described as Cryptophagus humeralis by Kirby in 1837. It is one of approximately 20 described species in the genus Pisenus, which are specialized associates of polypore fungi. The species is documented from eastern North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec) and the United States.
Platydema
Platydema is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae, subfamily Diaperinae) comprising at least 60 described species. Multiple species have been documented as obligately associated with fungal fruiting bodies, with some exhibiting monophagy on specific bracket fungi. The genus has a broad geographic distribution including Asia, Europe, and North America.
Polyporivora
flat-footed flies
Polyporivora is a genus of flat-footed flies (Platypezidae) comprising approximately eight described species. The genus is distinguished by its obligate association with polypore fungi, where larvae develop within host fruiting bodies. Species occur primarily in the Holarctic region, with documented records from Europe, including recent rediscoveries in Central and Southern Europe. The genus was established by Kessel & Maggioncalda in 1968.
Psyllobora parvinotata
Small-spotted Fairy Lady Beetle, small-spotted psyllobora
Psyllobora parvinotata is a minute lady beetle in the tribe Psylloborini, distinguished by its reduced spot pattern compared to congeners. Adults measure 2.75–3.40 mm and exhibit pale, often faint markings on the elytra. The species occurs in the southeastern United States, with records from Florida to Louisiana. It belongs to a genus whose members are specialized feeders on powdery mildews and other plant-pathogenic fungi.
Psyllobora renifer
Kidney-spotted Fairy Lady Beetle, Kidney-spotted Psyllobora, Kidney-spotted Lady Beetle
Psyllobora renifer is a minute lady beetle distinguished by its unique kidney-shaped markings and specialized diet of powdery mildew fungi. At 1.75–2.4 mm, it is among the smallest lady beetles in North America. Unlike most lady beetles that prey on aphids and soft-bodied insects, this species has evolved to exploit fungal pathogens of plants as its primary food source. It occurs across North and Central America and is most reliably identified by the confluent, connected dark patches on its elytra that merge into larger irregular shapes rather than remaining as discrete spots.
Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata
22-spot ladybird, 22-spot lady beetle
A small European lady beetle, 3–5 mm in length, distinguished by its bright yellow elytra with 22 black spots. It is the only British and Irish ladybird species where pupa, larva, and adult share similar coloration and pattern. Unlike most coccinellids that prey on aphids, this species is a mycophage specializing on powdery mildew fungi. The species was first described in 1758 by Linnaeus and has been recorded overwintering in aggregations of up to 500 individuals.
Sancassania
Sancassania is a genus of mites in the family Acaridae containing more than 80 species. Many species are associated with fungi, particularly mushrooms, with some lineages having specialized to exploit this ephemeral resource. Other species are phoretic on beetles or occur in soil and decomposing organic matter. The genus includes economically significant species associated with agricultural crops and biocontrol systems.
Scaphidiinae
Shining Fungus Beetles
Scaphidiinae is a subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) commonly known as shining fungus beetles. The subfamily comprises over 2000 described species across 46 genera, with greatest diversity concentrated in tropical and subtropical forests. Members are strongly associated with fungi and slime molds, on which they feed and complete their development. The Neotropical region remains particularly understudied, with recent work revealing substantially higher diversity than previously recorded.
Scaphidium
shining fungus beetles
Scaphidium is a genus of shining fungus beetles in the family Staphylinidae. Members are small beetles with compact, rounded bodies and short elytra that leave much of the abdomen exposed. The genus contains approximately 62 described species distributed across multiple continents.
Scaphisoma convexum
Scaphisoma convexum is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Scaphidiinae, characterized by its small, convex body form that distinguishes it from the typically more elongate staphylinids. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1825 and represents one of the more widely distributed members of its genus in North America. Like other members of Scaphidiinae, it is associated with fungal habitats. The species shows substantial geographic range across eastern and central North America with scattered western records.
Silvaninae
silvanid flat bark beetles
Silvaninae is a subfamily of silvanid flat bark beetles (family Silvanidae) comprising approximately 11 genera and at least 30 described species. The subfamily includes several economically significant stored product pests, most notably species in the genera *Oryzaephilus* and *Cathartus*. Members are characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies adapted for living under bark or in similar confined spaces. The group has a cosmopolitan distribution with species found across multiple continents.
Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata
24-spot Ladybird, Alfalfa Lady Beetle
A small ladybird beetle, 3–4 mm long, with a domed shape and velvety, hair-covered wing-cases. Unlike most ladybirds, it is herbivorous, feeding on fungal mycelium rather than aphids. The species shows high variability in spot patterns, typically bearing 20–24 black spots on a dark orange background, though melanic and spotless forms occur. Winglessness is common, particularly in western populations, with flight ability varying geographically.
Suillia variegata
Suillia variegata is a Palearctic species of heleomyzid fly distributed throughout Britain and Ireland, with highest occurrence in England and Wales. The species exhibits a mixed feeding strategy, primarily mycophagous but also associated with decaying flowers, roots, and bird's nests. Adults display an earthy brown thorax with sparse hairs and a pale striped abdomen, with distinctive wing spines useful for identification. The species peaks in density during April/May and July/August.
Sulcacis
tree-fungus beetles
Sulcacis is a genus of minute tree-fungus beetles in the family Ciidae, established by Dury in 1917. The genus comprises eight described species distributed across the Holarctic region, including Europe, Asia, and North America. Species in this genus are associated with wood-decaying fungi and are documented hosts of entomopathogenic fungi and pseudoscorpion predators.
Synstrophus
polypore fungus beetles
Synstrophus is a genus of beetles in the family Tetratomidae, commonly known as polypore fungus beetles. The genus contains at least two described species: Synstrophus repandus and Synstrophus rollei. Members of this genus are associated with polypore fungi, a relationship that defines their ecological niche. The genus was established by Seidlitz in 1898.
Teredidae
Teredidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Coccinelloidea, containing approximately 160 species in 10 genera. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution excluding South America and Antarctica. Teredids are typically found in concealed microhabitats such as under bark, in leaf litter, and especially within the galleries of wood-boring beetles. The family was historically treated as a subfamily of Bothrideridae but is now recognized as distinct. Fossil records extend to the mid-Cretaceous with Delteredolaemus from Burmese amber.
Tetratoma
Tetratoma is a genus of polypore fungus beetles comprising approximately 25 described species. These small beetles are associated with wood-decaying fungi and are members of the family Tetratomidae within the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. The genus was established by Fabricius in 1790 and is primarily distributed across northern and temperate regions of the Palearctic.
Trigonorhinus limbatus limbatus
Trigonorhinus limbatus limbatus is a subspecies of fungus weevil in the family Anthribidae. It is characterized by distinct dark markings on the elytra and a somewhat elongated body form typical of the genus. The subspecies is part of a complex that requires careful examination for proper identification. It has been documented in specific regions of North America.
Triplax alachuae
Triplax alachuae is a species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae. It belongs to a genus of small beetles that are strongly associated with fungal fruiting bodies, particularly mushrooms. The species was described by Boyle in 1956. Like other members of Triplax, it is presumed to feed on fungal tissue and to be found in association with decaying mushrooms in forested habitats.
Triplax festiva
pleasing fungus beetle
Triplax festiva is a species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae, distributed across North America. Larvae develop within fungi of the genus Inonotus, indicating a specialized mycophagous relationship. The species is one of approximately 372 observations documented on iNaturalist, suggesting moderate documentation but limited detailed study.
Triplax flavicollis
pleasing fungus beetle
Triplax flavicollis is a species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae. It is found in Central America and North America. Members of the genus Triplax are small beetles, typically 3-5.6 millimeters in length, associated with fungi. The specific epithet "flavicollis" refers to a yellow-colored neck or collar region.
Triplax frontalis
Black-headed pleasing fungus beetle, Black-fronted Triplax
Triplax frontalis is a species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae, commonly known as the black-headed pleasing fungus beetle. It is found in North America. The species belongs to a genus of small beetles that are typically associated with fungi, particularly mushrooms and bracket fungi.
Triplax macra
pleasing fungus beetle
Triplax macra is a small species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1854 and is distributed across North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Triplax, it is associated with fungal habitats.
Triplax puncticeps
pleasing fungus beetle
Triplax puncticeps is a small beetle in the pleasing fungus beetle family Erotylidae, found in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with fungi, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species was described by Casey in 1916.
Tritoma angulata
pleasing fungus beetle
Tritoma angulata is a species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae. It was described by Thomas Say in 1826. The species is found in North America, where adults and larvae feed on fungi. Like other members of the genus Tritoma, it exhibits aposematic coloration that serves as a warning to potential predators of its chemical defenses.
Typhaea stercorea
Hairy Fungus Beetle
Typhaea stercorea, commonly known as the hairy fungus beetle, is a cosmopolitan beetle in the family Mycetophagidae. Adults measure 2.2–3.0 mm in length and are distinguished by their oval, brown, flattened bodies with hairy elytra bearing parallel lines of fine hairs. The species is a generalist feeder on fungi, particularly molds growing on damp or deteriorating organic matter. It serves as a significant pest of stored grain products, where its presence indicates poor storage conditions, and has been documented in grain storages dating to the Iron Age. The beetle has gained additional attention as a vector of human pathogens, including documented carriage of Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter species.
Winnertzia
Winnertzia is a genus of mycophagous gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae, subfamily Porricondylinae. The genus is exceptionally speciose, with 136 extant species currently recognized following recent taxonomic revisions. Species are documented from the Palearctic, Neotropical, and Australasian regions. Larvae develop in association with fungal substrates.
Winnertziinae
Winnertziinae is a subfamily of gall midges and wood midges in the family Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). The subfamily contains three recognized tribes: Diallactiini, Heteropezini, and Winnertziini, plus several genera of uncertain placement. The genus Winnertzia is exceptionally speciose, with 136 extant species documented across Sweden, Peru, and Tasmania. Members are predominantly mycophagous, feeding on fungal substrates.
Zygoneura
Zygoneura is a genus of small flies in the family Sciaridae, commonly known as dark-winged fungus gnats. The genus was established by Meigen in 1830 and is currently recognized as valid within the Diptera. Species in this genus are part of a diverse group of mycophagous insects associated with decaying organic matter and fungal substrates.