Pyrochroidae
Guides
Cononotus
Cononotus is a genus of beetles in the family Pyrochroidae, subfamily Agnathinae, established by J.L. LeConte in 1851. The genus includes species such as Cononotus lanchesteri, which has been recorded in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Members of this genus are part of the fire-colored beetle group, though they belong to the less commonly encountered subfamily Agnathinae.
Dendroides
fire-colored beetle
Dendroides is a genus of fire-colored beetles in the family Pyrochroidae, containing approximately seven described species. These beetles are characterized by their soft, elongated bodies and typically orange to reddish coloration. The genus is distributed across North America, with records from the United States and Canada. Dendroides species are active primarily during spring and summer months.
Dendroides canadensis
fire-colored beetle, Canada Fire-colored Beetle
Dendroides canadensis, commonly known as the fire-colored beetle or Canada Fire-colored Beetle, is a species in the family Pyrochroidae. Adults range from 7 to 16 mm in length and display distinctive coloration with black head and elytra contrasting with reddish-brown thorax and legs. The species is notable for having both freezing tolerance and freezing susceptibility (supercooling) adaptations, representing the first documented instance of overwintering by switching between these two mechanisms. Larvae inhabit the cambial layer under bark of decaying hardwood logs.
Neopyrochroa californica
Neopyrochroa californica is a species of fire-colored beetle in the family Pyrochroidae, endemic to California. The genus Neopyrochroa comprises beetles characterized by soft, flexible elytra and often vivid coloration. Members of Pyrochroidae are commonly associated with rotting wood and fungal habitats. This species is distinguished from congeners by its California distribution, though specific distinguishing features remain poorly documented in published literature.
Pedilus abnormis
fire-colored beetle
Pedilus abnormis is a species of fire-colored beetle in the family Pyrochroidae, described by Horn in 1874. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada. The species belongs to a family commonly known as fire-colored beetles, though specific biological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Pedilus canaliculatus
Pedilus canaliculatus is a species of cardinal beetle in the family Pyrochroidae, first described by LeConte in 1866. The species is known from eastern Canada, with confirmed records from New Brunswick and Québec. Like other members of the genus, adults are likely associated with decaying organic matter and are attracted to fermenting substances. The species belongs to a family whose larvae are typically predatory, feeding on other insects in decaying wood and other decomposing substrates.
Pedilus flabellatus
A fire-colored beetle species in the family Pyrochroidae. The mature larva has been described and exhibits a unique morphological trait: an uninterrupted transverse series of asperities on sternum 9, which is not found in other Pedilus larvae. This character supports the subfamily classification of Pedilinae within Pyrochroidae.
Pedilus impressus
spring fire-coloured beetle
Pedilus impressus, commonly known as the spring fire-coloured beetle, is a species of fire-colored beetle in the family Pyrochroidae. It is native to eastern North America and has been documented in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The species belongs to a family characterized by soft-bodied beetles, many of which exhibit aposematic coloration.
Pedilus inconspicuus
Pedilus inconspicuus is a small beetle species in the family Pyrochroidae, first described by Horn in 1874. The species epithet "inconspicuus" refers to its unremarkable or inconspicuous appearance. It belongs to a family commonly known as fire-colored beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. Records indicate occurrence in British Columbia, Canada.
Pedilus joanae
Pedilus joanae is a species of beetle in the family Pyrochroidae, commonly known as fire-colored beetles. The species is named in honor of entomologist Joan Chapin. It is one of several North American species in the genus Pedilus, which are recognized for their soft, somewhat flattened bodies and often vivid coloration. Observations suggest it occurs in the eastern United States, though detailed ecological studies remain limited.
Pedilus lewisii
Pedilus lewisii is a species of fire-colored beetle in the family Pyrochroidae. The genus Pedilus is part of a small family of beetles characterized by soft bodies and often bright coloration. This species appears to be rarely encountered, with only two observations recorded in iNaturalist. The family Pyrochroidae is known for larvae that typically develop under bark or in decaying wood, though specific life history details for P. lewisii remain undocumented.
Pedilus punctulatus
fire-colored beetle
Pedilus punctulatus is a species of fire-colored beetle in the family Pyrochroidae, first described by LeConte in 1851. It belongs to a family characterized by soft-bodied beetles often associated with fungal environments. The species has been documented in western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. Fire-colored beetles in this genus are typically found in moist woodland habitats.
Pedilus terminalis
Pedilus terminalis is a species of fire-colored beetle in the family Pyrochroidae. It is one of the most frequently observed members of its genus, with over 350 documented observations on iNaturalist. The species occurs in eastern North America, with confirmed records from Ontario and Québec in Canada.
Pyrochroinae
fire-colored beetles
Pyrochroinae is a subfamily of Pyrochroidae comprising fire-colored beetles distinguished by their often vivid red, orange, or yellow coloration. The subfamily includes genera such as Pyrochroa, Pseudopyrochroa, Hemidendroides, and Pseudodendroides. Larvae are saproxylic, developing beneath bark and in decaying woody debris of dead trees. Adults of at least some species are canthariphilous, exhibiting specialized cranial gland apparatuses associated with sexual behavior involving cantharidin compounds.
Schizotus
fire-colored beetles
Schizotus is a genus of fire-colored beetles in the family Pyrochroidae, established by Newman in 1838. The genus contains at least three described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. Adults are small beetles, 7–9 mm in length, with distinctive pectinate (comb-like) antennae. Members are associated with dead and decaying wood, where larvae develop beneath loose bark.
Schizotus cervicalis
Flaming-pillow Beetle
A small to medium-sized beetle in the family Pyrochroidae, commonly known as the Flaming-pillow Beetle. The species is characterized by its distinctive coloration and is known from multiple Canadian provinces. It belongs to a family whose larvae are often associated with decaying organic matter.
Schizotus fuscicollis
A small beetle in the family Pyrochroidae, known from the Holarctic region with confirmed records from Alaska. The species is placed in the genus Schizotus, which is characterized by soft-bodied adults and larvae typically associated with decaying organic matter. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Tydessa
Tydessa is a genus of beetles in the family Pyrochroidae (fire-colored beetles), established by Peacock in 1982. It is the sole genus in the subfamily Tydessinae. The genus is extremely poorly known, with minimal published biological or ecological information available.