Pselaphinae
Guides
Custotychus
Custotychus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Pselaphinae, tribe Tychini. The genus was established by Park and Wagner in 1962. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with forest floor habitats. The genus is rarely encountered, with only four observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the source data.
Cylindrarctus
ant-loving beetles
Cylindrarctus is a genus of rove beetles in the subfamily Pselaphinae, commonly known as ant-loving beetles. The genus contains approximately 10 described species, most of which were described by American entomologist Donald S. Chandler in 1988. Members of this genus are small, specialized beetles associated with ant colonies. The genus was established by Schaufuss in 1887.
Cylindrarctus crinifer
Cylindrarctus crinifer is a small ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The species is known from scattered records across the eastern and central United States. Like other members of the tribe Tychini, it is associated with ant colonies. Published information on its biology remains limited.
Dalmosanus
Dalmosanus is a genus of myrmecophilous (ant-loving) rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae. The genus was established by Park in 1952 and contains at least three described species distributed in North America. These beetles belong to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles often associated with social insects.
Dalmosanus steevesi
Dalmosanus steevesi is a species of ant-loving beetle (myrmecophile) in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It is a small rove beetle known to inhabit ant colonies. The species was described in 1968 from North American specimens.
Dalmosella
ant-loving beetles
Dalmosella is a genus of ant-loving beetles (rove beetles) in the family Staphylinidae, established by Casey in 1897. It contains a single described species, D. tenuis. As a member of the subfamily Pselaphinae, it belongs to a group of small beetles that are ecologically associated with ants.
Dalmosella tenuis
Dalmosella tenuis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It is a small beetle belonging to the tribe Trichonychini within the diverse Pselaphinae, a group known for their compact bodies and reduced elytra. The species was described by Thomas L. Casey in 1897 and occurs across eastern North America.
StaphylinidaePselaphinaerove-beetleNorth-AmericaCasey-1897TrichonychiniDalmosellaColeopterabeetleinsectarthropodAnimaliaInsectaPolyphagaStaphyliniformiaStaphylinoideaEuplectitaeTrimiinaNew-BrunswickAlabamaDistrict-of-ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMaineMississippiNorth-CarolinaNew-HampshireNew-JerseyOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaTennesseeVirginiaUSACanadaeastern-North-AmericaDecarthron discolor
ant-loving beetle
Decarthron discolor is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, specifically within the ant-associated subfamily Pselaphinae. The species was described by Brendel in 1890 and is recorded from the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is classified as an "ant-loving beetle" due to its ecological association with ant colonies.
Decarthron stigmosum
ant-loving beetle
Decarthron stigmosum is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, commonly referred to as ant-loving beetles. The species was described by Brendel in 1865. It is distributed across eastern North America, with records from Canada and multiple U.S. states. Like other Pselaphinae, it is associated with ant colonies, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Euboarhexius
Euboarhexius is a genus of small rove beetles in the subfamily Pselaphinae, commonly known as ant-loving beetles. The genus was established in 1966 by Grigarick and Schuster and contains at least four described species. Members of this genus are myrmecophilous, living in association with ant colonies. The genus is classified within the tribe Trogastrini.
Euboarhexius perscitus
Euboarhexius perscitus is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It was originally described as Rhexidius perscitus by Fletcher in 1932 and later transferred to the genus Euboarhexius. The species is known from the southeastern United States.
Euplectitae
Euplectitae is a supertribe of minute rove beetles (Staphylinidae) classified within the ant-associated subfamily Pselaphinae. The group contains at least 20 genera and approximately 30 described species. Members of this supertribe are characterized by their small body size and morphological adaptations associated with myrmecophily—living in close association with ant colonies.
Euplectus
ant-loving beetles
Euplectus is a genus of minute rove beetles in the subfamily Pselaphinae, commonly referred to as ant-loving beetles. The genus contains approximately 13 described species. Members of this genus are characterized by their small size, compact body form, and close ecological associations with ants. They belong to the tribe Euplectini within the diverse family Staphylinidae.
Euplectus acomanus
Euplectus acomanus is a minute rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) described by Casey in 1908. It belongs to the tribe Euplectini, a group of small, often myrmecophilous beetles characterized by compact bodies and reduced elytra. The species has been recorded across eastern North America and the southwestern United States, with scattered Canadian occurrences. Like other pselaphines, it likely inhabits moist leaf litter and soil microhabitats.
Eupsenius
Eupsenius is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed primarily in North America. Members of this genus are myrmecophilous, living in association with ant colonies. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1849.
Eutrichites
Eutrichites is a genus of ant-loving beetles (subfamily Pselaphinae) in the family Staphylinidae. The genus was established by LeConte in 1880 and contains at least two described species: Eutrichites arizonensis (described 1989) and Eutrichites zonatus (described 1865). Members of this genus are small rove beetles associated with ant colonies.
Eutrichites zonatus
ant-loving beetle
Eutrichites zonatus is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Brendel in 1865. It is found across much of North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the subfamily Pselaphinae, it is associated with ant colonies, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Eutyphlus schmitti
Eutyphlus schmitti is a minute ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Raffray in 1904. It belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles frequently associated with ant colonies. The species is documented from multiple states in the eastern United States.
Glandulariini
Glandulariini is a tribe of minute rove beetles within the subfamily Pselaphinae. Members are characterized by complex glandular structures on the abdomen, from which the tribe derives its name. These beetles are among the smallest staphylinids, often measuring less than 2 mm in length. The tribe contains numerous genera distributed across multiple biogeographic regions.
Goniaceritae
ant-loving beetles
Goniaceritae is a supertribe of minute ant-loving beetles within the subfamily Pselaphinae (Staphylinidae), established by Edmund Reitter in 1882. The group comprises approximately 16 genera and at least 30 described species, though this is likely an underestimate given ongoing taxonomic work. The type genus is Goniacerus Motschulsky, 1855. Members of this supertribe are myrmecophilous, meaning they are ecologically associated with ants, though the specific nature of these associations varies among genera and species.
Hamotus
Hamotus is a genus of ant-loving beetles (myrmecophilous rove beetles) in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus contains nine described species distributed primarily in North America. These beetles are associated with ant colonies, though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented for most species. The genus was established by Aubé in 1844.
Hamotus electrae
ant-loving beetle
Hamotus electrae is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by O. Park in 1942. It belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a group of small rove beetles frequently associated with ant colonies. The species is documented from Texas in the United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Hamotus, it is presumed to be myrmecophilous, living in association with ants, though specific details of this relationship remain unrecorded in published literature.
Hamotus opimus
Hamotus opimus is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Fletcher in 1932. It belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles often associated with ant colonies. The species is known from scattered records across the eastern and south-central United States. Like other members of its genus, it likely lives in close association with ants, though specific details of this relationship remain poorly documented.
Jubini
Jubini is a tribe of minute rove beetles within the subfamily Pselaphinae (Staphylinidae), first described by Raffray in 1898. Members of this tribe are Neotropical in distribution and are among the most abundant beetles in rainforest leaf litter. The tribe contains genera such as Morphogenia, which exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism. Despite their ecological abundance, the biology and ecological roles of Jubini remain poorly studied due to limited taxonomic expertise.
Leptoplectus pertenuis
Leptoplectus pertenuis is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Pselaphinae, a group commonly known as ant-loving beetles. The species was described by Casey in 1884 under the basionym Euplectus pertenuis. It is recorded across much of the eastern and central United States.
Lucifotychus cognatus
Lucifotychus cognatus is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. Originally described under the genus Tychus, it was later transferred to Lucifotychus, a genus within the tribe Tychini. The species occurs in western North America from Alaska through British Columbia and along the Pacific coast to California. Like other pselaphine rove beetles, it is likely associated with forest floor habitats and decaying organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lucifotychus testaceus
Lucifotychus testaceus is a minute rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Pselaphinae, commonly referred to as an ant-loving beetle. It is a myrmecophilous species associated with ant colonies. The species is documented from eastern and midwestern North America, with records spanning Canada and the United States.
Machaerodes
Machaerodes is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Brendel in 1890. The genus contains a single described species, M. carinatus. As members of the subfamily Pselaphinae, these beetles are myrmecophilous, meaning they live in association with ants.
Machaerodes carinatus
Machaerodes carinatus is a small rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, tribe Bythinini. Originally described as Bythinus carinatus by Brendel in 1865, it was later transferred to Machaerodes. The species is known from scattered records in eastern North America, primarily in the Appalachian region and Great Lakes area.
Megarafonus
ant-loving beetles
Megarafonus is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Casey in 1897. The genus contains approximately seven described species, distributed primarily in North America. These small rove beetles are myrmecophilous, meaning they live in association with ants. The genus has been subject to taxonomic uncertainty, with ongoing research seeking to clarify its phylogenetic position within the Pselaphinae subfamily.
Melba
Melba is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus was described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1897. It belongs to the tribe Trichonychini within the diverse and species-rich rove beetle lineage. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with leaf litter and soil habitats.
Metopiasini
Metopiasini is a tribe of minute rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) comprising nine genera, eight of which are restricted to the Neotropical region. The tribe is suspected to be myrmecophilous, though direct ant associations remain unconfirmed. Members exhibit morphological traits consistent with subterranean or litter-dwelling habits, including reduced eyes and elongated appendages. The genus Metopiellus, distributed from Colombia to Argentina, was recently recorded from Ecuador for the first time with two new species described from Amazonian and montane cloud forest habitats.
Mipseltyrus
ant-loving beetles
Mipseltyrus is a genus of minute rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae, commonly referred to as ant-loving beetles. The genus was established by Orlando Park in 1953 and currently includes four described species. Members of this genus are myrmecophilous, meaning they live in association with ant colonies. These beetles are small, compact, and morphologically specialized for life in soil and leaf litter environments.
Morius
Morius is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the rove beetle family Staphylinidae, established by Casey in 1893. The genus contains a single described species, Morius occidens. As members of the subfamily Pselaphinae, these beetles are morphologically specialized and ecologically associated with ants.
Moriuss occidens
Moriuss occidens is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It belongs to the tribe Trichonychini and is one of very few species in the genus Moriuss. The species was described by Casey in 1893 and is known from California. Pselaphine beetles are generally small, cryptic, and associated with leaf litter and soil habitats.
Nearctitychus
Nearctitychus is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Chandler in 1988. The genus is monotypic, containing a single described species, N. sternalis. As a member of the subfamily Pselaphinae and tribe Tychini, these beetles are myrmecophilous, meaning they live in association with ant colonies.
Nearctitychus sternalis
Nearctitychus sternalis is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) described by Raffray in 1904. It belongs to the tribe Tychini, a group of minute beetles often associated with leaf litter and soil habitats. The species is known from the eastern United States.
Nisaxis
Nisaxis is a genus of ant-loving beetles (myrmecophiles) in the family Staphylinidae, established by Casey in 1886. The genus comprises at least four described species distributed across North America. As members of the subfamily Pselaphinae, these beetles are minute, compact rove beetles associated with ant colonies. The genus is classified within the tribe Brachyglutini.
Nisaxis caudata
ant-loving beetle
Nisaxis caudata is a species of ant-loving beetle (family Staphylinidae) first described by Schaeffer in 1905. It belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles often associated with ant colonies. The species has been recorded from North America (Oklahoma and Texas) and Mexico, with additional Central American distribution. Very little detailed biological information is available for this specific species.
Nisaxis tomentosa
Nisaxis tomentosa is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, specifically within the ant-associated subfamily Pselaphinae. It has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning North America, the Caribbean, and South America. The species epithet 'tomentosa' refers to a densely hairy or woolly appearance.
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.
Oropodes chumash
Oropodes chumash is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It was described in 2011 by Chandler & Caterino. The species epithet refers to the Chumash people, indigenous to coastal California. Like other pselaphines, it is likely associated with ant colonies, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species is known from California, USA.
Oropus
Oropus is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Pselaphinae, tribe Trogastrini. It was described by Casey in 1886. Members of this genus are small, myrmecophilous beetles typically associated with ant colonies. The genus is part of the diverse Pselaphinae radiation, which contains thousands of species specialized for life in leaf litter, soil, and ant nests.
Oropus cavicauda
ant-loving beetle
Oropus cavicauda is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Casey in 1893. It belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles frequently associated with ant colonies. The species has been documented in the western United States, specifically California and Oregon. Available information on this species remains limited.
Prespelea
Prespelea is a genus of minute rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. These beetles are troglobitic, meaning they are specialized for life in cave environments. The genus was established by O. Park in 1953 and is classified within the tribe Speleobamini. Members of this genus are eyeless and exhibit morphological adaptations to subterranean habitats.
Pselaphitae
Pselaphitae is a supertribe of minute rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) characterized by compact, often hump-backed bodies with shortened elytra. The group comprises nine tribes and at least thirteen described genera, including Pselaphus, Tmesiphorus, and Tyrus. Members are primarily distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, with notable radiations in New Zealand where several endemic genera have been described. The supertribe was established by Latreille in 1802 and remains an active subject of taxonomic revision.
Pselaphus
ant-loving beetles
Pselaphus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Pselaphinae, containing at least 20 described species. These beetles are commonly referred to as "ant-loving beetles" due to their well-documented associations with ants. Members of this genus exhibit highly compact thoracic skeletal structures with reduced sutures and simplified flight musculature, indicating flightlessness in at least some species. The genus has been subject to detailed anatomical study, particularly regarding thoracic morphology and adaptations to myrmecophilous lifestyles.
Pselaphus erichsoni
Pselaphus erichsoni is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is found in North America. The species belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles often associated with ant colonies.
Pselaptus belfragei
Pselaptus belfragei is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It was described by LeConte in 1880 and is currently accepted as a valid species. The species is recorded from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, California, and Texas. As a member of the Pselaphinae, it belongs to a diverse group of small beetles often associated with leaf litter and soil habitats.
Pseudactium
Pseudactium is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the rove beetle family Staphylinidae. The genus was established by Casey in 1908 and contains approximately 12 described species. Members belong to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small beetles often associated with ants and termites.