Nitidulidae
Guides
Acanthogethes fuscus
pollen beetle
Acanthogethes fuscus is a species of pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae. The species has a broad intercontinental distribution spanning Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. As a member of Nitidulidae, it is associated with pollen and decaying plant materials, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Aethina tumida
Small Hive Beetle, SHB
Aethina tumida is an invasive pest beetle native to sub-Saharan Africa that has spread globally, causing significant damage to European honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. Adults are small, reddish-brown to dark brown beetles with clubbed antennae. Females can lay up to 2,000 eggs, and larvae feed on bee brood, honey, and pollen, producing frass that promotes fungal fermentation and creates a slimy, unusable mess in hives. The species has demonstrated potential for beneficial use in circular economy applications, converting excess bee pollen into animal feed and biomanure.
Afrogethes
pollen beetles
Afrogethes is a genus of pollen beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Audisio & Cline in 2009. The genus contains at least two described species: Afrogethes canadensis and Afrogethes saevus. Species in this genus are associated with pollen-feeding habits characteristic of many nitidulid beetles.
Afrogethes saevus
pollen beetle
Afrogethes saevus is a species of pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Amphicrossus
Amphicrossus is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae. The genus was established by Erichson in 1843 and contains approximately nine described species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Members are associated with decaying plant matter and fermenting sap flows.
Amphicrossus ciliatus
sap-feeding beetle
Amphicrossus ciliatus is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean Sea, Central America, and North America. As a member of Nitidulidae, it is associated with fermenting plant materials, sap flows, and fungal substrates.
Amphotis
sap-feeding beetles
Amphotis is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across Europe and North America. At least one species, A. marginata, has been documented as a phoretic host for mites in European Russia.
Amphotis schwarzi
Amphotis schwarzi is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Ulke in 1887. The species is known from North America and belongs to a genus characterized by association with fermenting plant materials and sap flows. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Amphotis ulkei
Amphotis ulkei is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described by LeConte in 1866. The genus Amphotis is taxonomically unusual within Nitidulidae, with species exhibiting distinctive morphological adaptations. Records indicate presence in North America, including Alberta, Canada, though detailed natural history information appears sparse in available sources.
Brachypeplus
sap beetle
Brachypeplus is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae. The genus contains at least two described species. Detailed life stage descriptions are available for Brachypeplus glaber, including egg, larval, pupal, and adult morphology. DNA barcoding and rearing methods have been used to confirm life stage identifications for this species.
Brachypeplus basalis
Brachypeplus basalis is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described by Erichson in 1842. The genus Brachypeplus belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with fermenting or decaying plant materials, fungi, and occasionally flowers. As a member of Nitidulidae, this species likely exhibits the family's characteristic compact body form and clubbed antennae. Records indicate presence in the conterminous United States.
Brachypeplus glaber
Brachypeplus glaber is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by LeConte in 1878. It is the first New World Brachypeplus species for which complete life stage descriptions are available, including egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. The species is found in North America.
Brassicogethes aeneus
common pollen beetle, rape pollen beetle, rape blossom beetle
Brassicogethes aeneus is a small pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae and a major pest of oilseed rape (canola) and other Brassica crops across Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. Adults are 2–3 mm long, metallic black with greenish reflections, while larvae reach 3 mm and are white with brown sclerotized plates. The species causes significant economic damage through adult feeding and oviposition in flower buds, which can lead to bud abortion and yield losses up to 80% in spring oilseed rape. It was previously classified under the genus Meligethes. Populations show low genetic structure across Europe, indicating substantial gene flow, and are subject to biological control by hymenopteran parasitoids.
Brassicogethes aeneus dauricus
Brassicogethes aeneus dauricus is a subspecies of pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae. The nominate form, B. aeneus, is a significant agricultural pest of oilseed rape and other Brassicaceae crops across Europe and Asia. The subspecies dauricus is associated with the Daurian region of Transbaikalia in eastern Russia. Like other members of the genus, it is likely adapted to temperate climates with phenology tied to flowering periods of its host plants.
Brassicogethes cleominis
pollen beetle
Brassicogethes cleominis is a pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae, a group of beetles commonly associated with flowers and pollen feeding. The species was described by Easton in 1959. It is known from North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. As a member of the genus Brassicogethes, it is likely associated with plants in the family Cleomaceae, suggested by its specific epithet.
Brassicogethes simplipes
pollen beetle
Brassicogethes simplipes is a pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae, originally described as Meligethes simplipes by Easton in 1947. It is native to North America with confirmed records from eastern Canadian provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. As a member of the genus Brassicogethes, it is associated with pollen-feeding habits common to this group.
Brassicogethes viridescens
pollen beetle
A small pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae with a broad intercontinental distribution spanning Africa, Europe, northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Like other members of its family, it is associated with flowers and pollen-feeding habits, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Camptodes
Camptodes is a genus of small sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains approximately nine described species distributed across multiple continents. Members are associated with fermenting plant sap and decaying organic matter.
Camptodes texanus
Glossy Tropical Sap Beetle
Camptodes texanus is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1904. The species occurs in North America and is known by the common name Glossy Tropical Sap Beetle. Like other members of Nitidulidae, it is associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal growths.
Caplothorax
sap beetles
Caplothorax is a genus of sap beetles in the family Nitidulidae. The genus comprises 11 described species distributed across North America and Europe. It was established by Kirejtshuk in 1997. GBIF lists Caplothorax as a synonym of Carpophilus, though iNaturalist maintains it as a valid genus with over 500 observations.
Caplothorax californicus
Caplothorax californicus is a species of beetle in the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as sap beetles. The genus Caplothorax is a small and poorly studied group within this family. Very little published information exists regarding the biology, ecology, or distribution of this particular species. The specific epithet "californicus" indicates a type locality or primary association with California.
Caplothorax melanopterus
Yucca Beetle
Caplothorax melanopterus, commonly known as the Yucca Beetle, is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is associated with yucca plants, which provide both food and habitat. The species has been documented across arid regions of western North America. Its common name reflects this close ecological relationship with yucca.
Caplothorax sayi
Caplothorax sayi is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, a group commonly associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates. The genus Caplothorax is relatively obscure, with limited published documentation. As of current records, this species has been documented through 16 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is rarely encountered or underreported. No formal species-level description or ecological study has been identified in the provided sources.
Carpophilinae
Carpophilinae is a subfamily of sap beetles (Nitidulidae) comprising at least 70 described species across six genera: Amphicrossus, Aphenolia, Carpophilus, Caplothorax, Epuraea, Nitops, and Urophorus. Recent phylogenetic studies have reclassified the group, elevating Caplothorax to generic rank and confirming the monophyly of Nitops, Urophorus, and Caplothorax. The subfamily exhibits multiple independent origins of anthophily (flower-visiting behavior), a trait that has evolved convergently across lineages.
Carpophilus antiquus
Carpophilus antiquus is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is native to North America. The species has been observed to produce a novel pheromone when feeding on wheat, yeast, or corn, which attracts conspecifics and sympatric species and can lead to beetle infestations.
Carpophilus dimidiatus
cornsap beetle, corn sap beetle
Carpophilus dimidiatus, commonly known as the cornsap beetle or corn sap beetle, is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is a stored product pest with documented associations with walnuts and wheat bran. The species has been recorded in Oceania, Europe, North America, and parts of South America including Northwestern Argentina. Laboratory studies have characterized its temperature- and humidity-dependent development and oviposition patterns.
Carpophilus discoideus
Disk-shaped Sap Beetle
Carpophilus discoideus is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is found in North America. The species is one of approximately 40 species in the genus Carpophilus, which are commonly known as sap beetles or picnic beetles. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with fermenting or decaying plant material.
Carpophilus hemipterus
dried-fruit beetle
Carpophilus hemipterus is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae known as the dried-fruit beetle. It is a cosmopolitan pest of ripening and dried fruits, with documented infestations on dates, litchi, mango, guava, papaya, and stone fruits. The species exhibits strong aggregation behavior mediated by pheromones and shows phototactic flight responses that transition readily to vegetative orientation upon encountering food odors. It completes multiple generations per season in warm climates, with population peaks correlating with temperature and humidity optima. Both adults and larvae cause direct damage to fruits and can vector microorganisms associated with fermentation and aflatoxin production.
Carpophilus mutilatus
confused sap beetle, flower beetle
Carpophilus mutilatus is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as the confused sap beetle or flower beetle. The species has a broad distribution spanning Oceania, Europe, North America, and temperate Asia. As a member of the genus Carpophilus, it shares the family's characteristic association with fermenting plant materials and decaying vegetation.
Carpophilus pilosellus
Carpophilus pilosellus is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It has been established as a junior synonym of Carpophilus marginellus Motschulsky, 1858 based on examination of type specimens. The species belongs to a genus containing several agricultural pests, though specific biological details for C. pilosellus itself remain poorly documented.
Colopterus
Colopterus is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, containing approximately 10 described species. Species in this genus are associated with fermenting substrates and plant material. At least one species, C. truncatus, has been documented as a seed predator of Inga marginata and produces male-specific aggregation pheromones.
Colopterus maculatus
spotted sap beetle
Colopterus maculatus is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is found in North America. The species is part of a group of beetles commonly associated with fermenting plant sap, decaying fruit, and fungal growth.
Colopterus niger
Colopterus niger is a small sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1823. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Carpophilus niger in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing systematic revisions within the genus. It occurs in North America and belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates.
Colopterus posticus
Colopterus posticus is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species belongs to a genus of small beetles commonly associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal growth.
Colopterus semitectus
Colopterus semitectus is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1825. It is known from North America with records from multiple Canadian provinces including Ontario, Québec, and Saskatchewan.
Colopterus truncatus
Colopterus truncatus is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae with a broad distribution across the Americas. It has been documented as a seed predator of Inga marginata in Brazil, representing the first record of this trophic interaction. Males produce a species-specific aggregation pheromone composed of polyene hydrocarbons that attracts both sexes, with field activity requiring synergism with fermenting substrates. The species has also been identified as a principal vector of oak wilt fungus in Minnesota, highlighting its significance in both agricultural and forest ecosystems.
Conotelus
obscure sap beetle
Conotelus is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains at least four described species, including the obscure sap beetle (Conotelus obscurus). Members of this genus are part of the subfamily Cillaeinae and tribe Conotelini. They are found in North America, with records from the United States including Vermont.
Conotelus fuscipennis
Conotelus fuscipennis is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, a group commonly known as sap beetles. The species is native to North America. Like other members of the genus Conotelus, it is associated with fermenting or decaying plant materials. Information on this species remains limited, with only four observation records documented on iNaturalist as of the available data.
Conotelus mexicanus
Conotelus mexicanus is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Murray in 1864. It has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning Central America, North America, and Oceania. The species belongs to a family commonly known as sap beetles, which are typically associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates.
Cryptarcha
Cryptarcha is a genus of sap beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Shuckard in 1839. The genus contains at least 17 described species distributed across multiple continents. Some species are associated with cactus cultivation, where they can cause significant agricultural damage. Members exhibit both phytophagous and saprophagous feeding behaviors.
Cryptarcha concinna
Cryptarcha concinna is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. The species was described by Melsheimer in 1853. As a member of Nitidulidae, it is associated with fermenting plant materials and sap flows.
Cryptarcha sp-one-ariz
Cryptarcha sp-one-ariz is an undescribed or provisionally designated species within the genus Cryptarcha, a group of sap beetles (family Nitidulidae) found in Arizona. Species in this genus are associated with fermenting plant exudates and fungal substrates. The specific epithet 'sp-one-ariz' indicates this represents a distinct morphospecies recognized from Arizona collections, pending formal taxonomic description.
Cryptarchinae
Cryptarchinae is a subfamily of sap-feeding beetles within the family Nitidulidae. The subfamily contains at least 3 genera—Cryptarcha, Glischrochilus, and Pityophagus—and approximately 17 described species. Members are associated with subcortical habitats and sap flows on trees, particularly conifers. The genus Glischrochilus has been the subject of recent taxonomic revision revealing cryptic species diversity in northern Europe.
Cychramus
Cychramus is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Kugelann in 1794. The genus comprises approximately six described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Members of this genus are associated with fermenting plant sap and fungal substrates. They are small beetles typical of the sap beetle guild, though specific ecological details for the genus remain limited.
Cyllodes
Cyllodes is a genus of small beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Erichson in 1843. The genus comprises approximately 14 described species. Members of this genus are classified as sap-feeding beetles, placing them within the ecological guild of organisms that utilize plant exudates and fermenting materials. The genus belongs to the tribe Cyllodini within the subfamily Nitidulinae.
Epuraea
sap beetles
Epuraea is a genus of small sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains at least 40 described species distributed across northern temperate regions. Epuraea species are primarily associated with fermenting plant materials, fungal sporulation structures, and decaying organic matter. Several species have documented relationships with specific fungal pathogens of trees, including western gall rust and oak wilt fungus. The genus exhibits considerable ecological diversity, with some species occurring in bumblebee nests and others developing on agricultural crops.
Epuraea aestiva
Epuraea aestiva is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It has been recorded as an inquiline in nests of the bumble bee Bombus derhamellus, where its larvae and pupae develop. The species is widely distributed across the Holarctic region, including Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America.
Epuraea alternans
Epuraea alternans is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described by Grouvelle in 1912. The genus Epuraea comprises small beetles commonly associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates. Records indicate presence in North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Epuraea alternata
Epuraea alternata is a small sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described by Parsons in 1969. The species is known from North America, with records from Vermont and other U.S. states. As a member of Epuraea, it likely shares the genus's association with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Epuraea ambigua
Epuraea ambigua is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is native to North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada and Alaska, United States. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1843. As a member of Nitidulidae, it is associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates.
Epuraea avara
Avaricious Sap Beetle
Epuraea avara is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is found in North America. The species is commonly known as the Avaricious Sap Beetle. As a member of the Nitidulidae, it is associated with fermenting plant sap, fruit, and other sugary substances.
Epuraea helvola
Epuraea cf. helvola is a small sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, characterized by its compact, oval body form and association with fermenting plant materials. The 'cf.' designation indicates the identification is provisional and based on morphological comparison rather than definitive confirmation. Members of this genus are frequently encountered in decaying vegetation, fungal fruiting bodies, and other microhabitats rich in yeasts and fungal growth. The species epithet 'helvola' (meaning tawny or yellowish-brown) likely references its coloration.
Epuraea imperialis
Epuraea imperialis is a small beetle species in the family Nitidulidae (sap beetles). The genus Epuraea comprises minute to small beetles typically associated with fermenting plant materials, fungi, and decaying organic matter. This species has been documented in Belgium and the broader European region. Like other nitidulids, it likely plays a role in nutrient cycling through its association with decomposing substrates.
Epuraea luteola
pineapple sap beetle
Epuraea luteola, commonly known as the pineapple sap beetle, is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. The species has been documented in North America, Oceania, and Europe, with records from the Galápagos Islands. It is associated with decaying plant matter and fermenting sap flows.
Epuraea ocularis
sap beetle, sap-feeding beetle
Epuraea ocularis is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, characterized by its association with fermenting plant material. The species has a broad global distribution spanning multiple continents. Laboratory studies in India have documented its complete life cycle, including egg-laying in clusters on fermenting overripe fruits, four larval instars, and pupation in soil.
Epuraea papagona
Epuraea papagona is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1884. The species belongs to a genus of small beetles commonly associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates. It is known from North America and Middle America, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Epuraea peltoides
Epuraea peltoides is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Horn in 1879. It belongs to a genus of small beetles commonly associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates. The species is known from North America.
Epuraea populi
Epuraea populi is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described by Dodge in 1939. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus of small beetles commonly associated with fermenting or decaying plant materials. The species epithet "populi" suggests a possible association with Populus (poplar) species, though this relationship has not been explicitly documented in available sources.
Epuraea rufa
Rufous Sap Beetle
Epuraea rufa is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is known from North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec) and the United States. The species is associated with fermenting sap and decaying plant matter.
Epuraea rufida
Epuraea rufida is a small sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described from North America in 1846. Members of this genus are commonly associated with decaying plant matter and fungal fruiting bodies. The species is poorly documented in contemporary literature, with minimal observational records available.
Epuraea rufomarginata
Epuraea rufomarginata is a small beetle species in the family Nitidulidae (sap beetles), first described by Stephens in 1830. The species has a Holarctic distribution, occurring in both Europe and North America. As a member of the genus Epuraea, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with fermenting plant materials, fungi, and decaying organic matter. The specific epithet "rufomarginata" suggests reddish marginal coloration, though detailed morphological descriptions are limited in the available sources.
Epuraea terminalis
Epuraea terminalis is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1843. It has a broad Holarctic distribution, occurring across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. As a member of the sap beetle family, it is associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates. The species is documented in entomological collections and observation records, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Epuraea truncatella
Epuraea truncatella is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1846. It is found in North America, with records from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Labrador. As a member of Nitidulidae, it is associated with fermenting plant materials and sap flows.
Fabogethes nigrescens
black pollen beetle, Black Sap Beetle
Fabogethes nigrescens is a species of pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is widely distributed across Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species was originally described by Stephens in 1830 under the genus Meligethes, and has since been reclassified to Fabogethes. It is commonly known as the black pollen beetle or Black Sap Beetle.
Genistogethes
Genistogethes is a genus of sap beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established in 2009. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with flowers and decaying plant material. The genus is relatively poorly documented with limited published biological information.
Genistogethes carinulatus
Genistogethes carinulatus is a small beetle in the family Nitidulidae, the sap beetles. The genus Genistogethes is associated with leguminous plants, particularly brooms (Genista and related genera). This species was described by Forster in 1849 and has been recorded from Europe and western North America. The specific epithet 'carinulatus' refers to small keel-like structures, likely describing surface sculpturing on the body.
Glischrochilus
picnic beetles, beer bugs
Glischrochilus is a genus of small beetles in the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as picnic beetles or beer bugs. The genus contains two subgenera with divergent feeding strategies: Librodor species feed on sap and fermenting plant matter, while Glischrochilus species are predators of soft invertebrates. Most species are characterized by black bodies with contrasting yellow, red, or orange elytral markings. The genus is distributed across North America and Eurasia and includes several agricultural pests.
Glischrochilus confluentus
Glischrochilus confluentus is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1823. It belongs to a genus commonly known as picnic beetles, which are attracted to fermenting plant fluids. The species is distributed across North America, with confirmed records from multiple Canadian provinces.
Glischrochilus fasciatus
Picnic Beetle
Glischrochilus fasciatus, commonly known as the picnic beetle, is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. The species is distributed across North America and Central America. It belongs to a genus known for attraction to fermenting plant materials and oozing sap. The common name derives from its tendency to frequent outdoor food gatherings.
Glischrochilus obtusus
Glischrochilus obtusus is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, a group commonly known as sap beetles. The species occurs in North America. Members of the genus Glischrochilus are typically associated with fermenting plant sap, decaying fruits, and fungal fruiting bodies.
Glischrochilus quadrisignatus
Four-spotted Sap Beetle, Four-spotted Fungus Beetle, Beer Bug, Picnic Beetle
Glischrochilus quadrisignatus is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as the four-spotted sap beetle or picnic beetle. It is native to North America and has been introduced to parts of Europe including Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, and Austria. The species is strongly attracted to fermenting plant fluids, overripe fruits, and fungal growths, and is a notable pest of sweet corn and other crops. It has been studied for its complex ecological interactions, including its role as a mortality factor for European corn borer larvae and its potential as a biological control agent.
Glischrochilus sanguinolentus
Bloody Sap Beetle
Glischrochilus sanguinolentus, commonly known as the Bloody Sap Beetle, is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus known for association with fermenting plant sap, fungi, and occasionally damaged fruit. The species is relatively well-documented with over 700 observations on iNaturalist.
Glischrochilus siepmanni
Glischrochilus siepmanni is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It belongs to a genus commonly known as picnic beetles, though specific behavioral details for this species remain limited. It has been documented across multiple Canadian provinces and is presumed present throughout North America.
Lobiopa brunnescens
Lobiopa brunnescens is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It was described by Blatchley in 1917 and is known from North America. The genus Lobiopa comprises sap beetles that are typically associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates.
Lobiopa insularis
strawberry sap beetle
Lobiopa insularis is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, widely distributed across the Americas from North America through Central America to South America and the Caribbean. It is a significant agricultural pest of strawberry and other soft fruits, causing direct feeding damage and indirect losses through fungal dispersal. The species has been extensively studied for its biology, life history, and control options, including biological control using parasitoids and entomopathogenic nematodes.
agricultural-pestsap-beetlestrawberry-pestbiological-controlNitidulidaefrugivoroussexual-dimorphismmate-guardingparasitoid-hostentomopathogenic-nematode-hostpolyphagousfungal-dispersal-agentoverwintering-adultlong-lived-adulthigh-fecunditysoil-ovipositionripening-fruit-attractionintegrated-pest-managementBrazilArgentinaAmericas-distributionLobiopa oblonga
Lobiopa oblonga is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described by Parsons in 1938. The genus Lobiopa was reviewed in a 2012 publication in The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, which included the description of a new congeneric species from Baja California Sur, Mexico. As a member of Nitidulidae, it likely shares the family's general association with fermenting or decaying plant matter, though species-specific biology remains poorly documented.
Lobiopa undulata
Lobiopa undulata is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1825. It occurs across North America with confirmed records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick) and the United States. As a member of Nitidulidae, it is associated with fermenting plant sap, overripe fruit, and other sugar-rich substrates.
Meligethes atratus
Meligethes atratus is a pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae, distributed across Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China). The species belongs to a genus of small beetles commonly associated with flowers, particularly those of Brassicaceae and other plant families. Like related pollen beetles, adults likely feed on pollen and floral tissues. The species was first described by Olivier in 1790.
Nitidula
Nitidula is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Fabricius in 1775. The genus contains approximately 20-23 described species, though estimates vary among sources. Several species are associated with carrion and decaying organic matter, with some species such as N. carnaria and N. flavomaculata being utilized in forensic investigations due to their predictable colonization of mammalian corpses during later stages of decay. Other species breed in carrion or are found in association with fermenting plant materials.
Nitidula carnaria
Nitidula carnaria is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, originally described by Schaller in 1783 under the name Silpha carnaria. It belongs to the genus Nitidula, a group of beetles commonly associated with fermenting or decaying organic matter. The species has been recorded from several islands of the Azores archipelago.
Nitidula nigra
Nitidula nigra is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1911. The species is recorded from western and central Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with decomposing organic matter and carrion habitats.
Nitidula ziczac
Nitidula ziczac is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is a small beetle, measuring 3–5 millimeters in length, and is known to associate with carrion. The species is found in North America, primarily from the Great Plains westward, and also occurs in Central America.
Nitidulidae
sap beetles, sap-feeding beetles, picnic beetles
Nitidulidae is a family of small beetles commonly known as sap beetles or picnic beetles, with approximately 4,500 described species worldwide and 173 species in North America. Members exhibit highly variable feeding habits, ranging from sap-feeding to scavenging on carrion, fermenting fruits, fungi, and stored products. Several species are economically significant as agricultural pests, particularly in tree nut crops and honey bee colonies. The family has gained recent attention as vectors of the oak wilt pathogen (Bretziella fagacearum), with beetles transmitting fungal spores from infected to healthy oak trees. Some species have been successfully deployed in bioconversion systems to recycle agricultural waste.
Nitidulinae
sap beetles
Nitidulinae is a subfamily of small beetles within the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as sap beetles. The subfamily contains approximately 110 genera and at least 70 described species, though taxonomic revision is ongoing. Members are primarily associated with fungal substrates, particularly large-bodied Basidiomycetes, and exhibit diverse feeding habits including phallalophagy in some lineages. The group has been subject to recent phylogenetic study focusing on body convexity as a morphological trait and host-use patterns.
Nitops craigheadi
Nitops craigheadi is a small beetle species in the family Nitidulidae (sap beetles), originally described as Carpophilus craigheadi by Dobson in 1972. The genus Nitops comprises species often associated with fermenting plant materials, though specific ecological data for this species remain limited. Like other nitidulids, adults are likely attracted to decaying organic matter and fungal growth. The species is distinguished from congeners by subtle morphological features of the antennae and pronotum.
Omosita colon
Omosita colon is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. The species has been documented across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), Central America, and North America. Detailed morphological studies have examined its antennae and mouthpart sensilla, revealing specialized sensory structures associated with its feeding ecology.
Pallodes
Pallodes is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains approximately 51 described species, with the majority distributed in tropical regions. Three species occur in North America: Pallodes austrinus, Pallodes pallidus, and Pallodes plateosus. The genus is noted for its association with fresh mushrooms and is considered taxonomically in need of a worldwide revision.
Pallodes pallidus
Pale Sap Beetle
Pallodes pallidus is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as the Pale Sap Beetle. It is native to North America, with records from the United States and Canada including Ontario and Québec. As a member of the sap beetle guild, it is associated with fermenting plant sap, fungi, and other decaying organic matter. The species is relatively well-documented on citizen science platforms, with over 160 observations recorded.
Phenolia grossa
Phenolia grossa is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario) and the United States. As a member of Nitidulidae, it belongs to a family commonly known as sap beetles, which are associated with fermenting or decaying plant materials.
Pityophagus
Pityophagus is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Shuckard in 1839. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Members of this genus are associated with coniferous trees, where they feed on sap flows and exudates.
Pityophagus cephalotes
Pityophagus cephalotes is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by LeConte in 1866. The species is found in North America. Members of the genus Pityophagus are associated with coniferous trees and are known to feed on sap flows.
Pocadius
hairy puffball beetle
Pocadius is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Erichson in 1843. The genus comprises approximately 47 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with particularly high diversity in Central and South America. Species were historically underdescribed, with a major revision in 2008 expanding the genus from nine to 47 recognized species. The genus includes both described larvae and adults, with some species associated with fungal substrates.
Pocadius basalis
Pocadius basalis is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1911. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, with recent records extending its known range. As a member of Nitidulidae, it belongs to a family commonly associated with fermenting or decaying plant materials, though species-specific biology remains poorly documented.
Pocadius helvolus
hairy puffball beetle
Pocadius helvolus, commonly known as the hairy puffball beetle, is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. The species was described by Erichson in 1843. It is found in Central America and North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. The common name suggests a hairy appearance, though specific morphological details are limited in available sources.
Prometopia
Prometopia is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, subfamily Prometopiinae. The genus comprises approximately 28 species worldwide, with distribution centered in the Afrotropical region and extending to the Nearctic and other regions. Most species are excluded from the Palaearctic region, Madagascar, and New Zealand. The genus is characterized by distinctive body shape and elytral spot patterns.
Prometopinae
Prometopinae is a subfamily of sap-feeding beetles within the family Nitidulidae. It comprises approximately eight genera, with the genus Prometopia being the sole North American representative. Members are associated with fermenting plant materials and sap flows.
Psilopyga
stinkhorn beetles
Psilopyga is a genus of small beetles in the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as sap beetles. The genus contains at least four described species, including two with common names referencing their association with stinkhorn fungi: the black stinkhorn beetle (P. histrina) and the stinkhorn beetle (P. nigripennis). Species in this genus are known to feed on sap and are associated with fungal fruiting bodies.
Psilopyga fasciata
Psilopyga fasciata is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described from Mexico by Sharp in 1891. The species has undergone taxonomic revision and is currently treated as a synonym of Oxycnemus fasciatus. Records indicate presence in Middle and North America, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Psilopyga histrina
black stinkhorn beetle
A small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, known from North America. The common name "black stinkhorn beetle" suggests an association with stinkhorn fungi (Phallaceae), though direct documentation of this relationship is limited. Like other nitidulids, it likely feeds on fermenting plant fluids and fungal substrates.
Psilopyga nigripennis
stinkhorn beetle
Psilopyga nigripennis, commonly known as the stinkhorn beetle, is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It is found in North America. The common name "stinkhorn beetle" reflects its association with stinkhorn fungi (Phallaceae), which are among its known food sources. The species was described by LeConte in 1863.
Soronia grisea
Soronia grisea is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), North America, and Southern Asia. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758. As a member of the sap-feeding beetle family, it is associated with fermentation and decaying plant materials.
Stelidota geminata
strawberry sap beetle
Stelidota geminata, commonly known as the strawberry sap beetle, is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. This small beetle has a broad host range and is widely distributed across Central America, North America, Oceania, South America, Europe, and temperate Asia. Research indicates it functions as a chemical 'generalist' in host-finding behavior, responding to a wide variety of host volatiles rather than specializing on specific chemical cues. It is known to be associated with fermenting fruit, particularly strawberries (Fragaria spp.), and exhibits both phototactic flights and host-orienting flights when locating food sources. The species has been introduced to various regions outside its native range and is considered a pest of strawberry crops.
Stelidota octomaculata
Stelidota octomaculata is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, endemic to North America. Adults overwinter in forest litter and feed primarily on acorns, particularly damaged or germinating ones, beginning in March. Reproduction occurs in spring and early summer inside acorns both above and below ground. The species has been described as a chemical 'generalist' but behavioral 'specialist' compared to its congener S. geminata, showing reduced locomotion rates and different host-finding strategies. Laboratory studies indicate a life cycle of approximately 34 days at 22-26°C, with females producing up to 933 offspring.
Thalycra
Thalycra is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains at least 20 described species. These beetles are attracted to lights at night and are associated with fermenting plant materials.
Thalycra carolina
Thalycra carolina is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Wickham in 1920. It is native to North America. Members of the genus Thalycra are associated with fermenting plant materials and sap flows.
Urophorus
Urophorus is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, containing at least two described species. The genus is characterized by association with fermenting plant material and fruit. Urophorus humeralis, commonly known as the pineapple beetle, has been documented as a pest of pear fruits in Chinese orchards. The genus is distinguished from related nitidulids by morphological features, though specific diagnostic traits require detailed examination.