Rove-beetle
Guides
Lithocharis nigriceps
Lithocharis nigriceps is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) with a cosmopolitan distribution spanning multiple continents. It has been introduced to North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand from its native range in Asia. The species is documented from diverse habitats including islands in the Azores and Pacific regions.
Lithocharodes
Lithocharodes is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the tribe Xantholinini, established by Sharp in 1876. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by the shortened elytra typical of the family. The genus is part of the diverse Staphylininae subfamily, one of the largest groups within rove beetles. Information on specific species and biology remains limited in available literature.
Lithocharodes longicollis
Long-collared Rove Beetle
Lithocharodes longicollis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, tribe Xantholinini, characterized by its notably elongated pronotum that gives rise to both its scientific and common names. The species was originally described by LeConte in 1863 under the genus Leptacinus. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) through much of the eastern and midwestern United States.
Lobrathium grande
Lobrathium grande is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1863. Originally placed in the genus Lathrobium, it was later transferred to Lobrathium. The species occurs in northeastern North America, with records from Canada and the eastern United States. As a member of the subfamily Paederinae, it belongs to a group of predatory rove beetles.
Lordithon anticus
Lordithon anticus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Horn in 1877. The species belongs to the subfamily Mycetoporinae, a group associated with fungal habitats. It has been documented across northeastern North America with scattered records extending into the Midwest. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to inhabit decaying organic matter, though specific ecological studies are limited.
Lordithon axillaris
Lordithon axillaris is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, distributed across eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States. The species has been recorded in Canadian provinces including New Brunswick and Quebec, and in numerous U.S. states spanning the Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and extending south to Oklahoma and South Carolina. It belongs to the subfamily Mycetoporinae, a group of staphylinids typically associated with fungal habitats.
Lordithon campbelli
Lordithon campbelli is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) described by Schülke in 2000. It belongs to the subfamily Mycetoporinae, a group associated with fungal habitats. The species is known from scattered records across eastern North America.
Lordithon niger
Black Lordithon Rove Beetle
Lordithon niger is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Mycetoporinae) in the genus Lordithon, originally described by Gravenhorst in 1802. A lectotype was designated by Campbell (1982) in his taxonomic revision of North and Central American Lordithon. The species is broadly distributed across eastern North America.
Lordithon obsoletus
Lordithon obsoletus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1832. The species has been placed in the genus Bobitobus by some authorities, though Lordithon remains widely used. It occurs across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Canada through the southeastern United States. As a member of the megadiverse Staphylinidae, it likely inhabits forest floor and soil habitats typical of the family, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lordithon oregonus
Lordithon oregonus is a species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) described by Campbell in 1982. The species was originally described under the genus Lordithon but has been synonymized under Bobitobus oregonus in some taxonomic treatments. It is known from the Pacific Northwest region of North America, with records from British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington. The genus Lordithon belongs to the tribe Xantholinini within the subfamily Staphylininae.
Losiusa
Losiusa is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) described by Seevers in 1978. It belongs to the subfamily Aleocharinae, the largest subfamily of rove beetles, within the tribe Oxypodini. The genus is part of the subtribe Dinardina, a group known for myrmecophilous (ant-associated) associations. Species in this genus are small beetles that live in close association with ant colonies.
Losiusa angusticollis
Losiusa angusticollis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Seevers in 1978. It belongs to the subfamily Aleocharinae and tribe Oxypodini. The genus Losiusa is part of the subtribe Dinardina. Very little specific information is published about this species beyond its taxonomic description.
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.
Lypoglossa
Lypoglossa is a genus of rove beetles in the subfamily Aleocharinae, family Staphylinidae. The genus was described by Fenyes in 1918 and contains four recognized species with a disjunct distribution across the Nearctic region and Europe. Species are small, typically found in association with forest floor habitats. The genus is classified within the tribe Athetini, a diverse group of small to minute staphylinids.
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.
Manda
Manda is a genus of spiny-legged rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) established by Blackwelder in 1952. The genus belongs to the subfamily Oxytelinae and tribe Planeustomini. At least two species have been described within this genus. Rove beetles in this genus are characterized by their elongated bodies and reduced elytra that expose much of the abdomen. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Manda nearctica
spiny-legged rove beetle
Manda nearctica is a species of spiny-legged rove beetle described by Moore in 1964. It belongs to the family Staphylinidae, the largest family of beetles, characterized by their shortened elytra that leave most of the abdomen exposed. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from the southeastern United States.
Medon
Medon is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Paederinae. Species are small, typically found in soil and leaf litter habitats, with some taxa occurring in intertidal zones along coastlines. The genus is distributed across the Palearctic region, with significant diversity in Turkey (23+ species) and East Asia. Several species have been described in recent decades, indicating ongoing taxonomic refinement.
Medon fusculus
Medon fusculus is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae) originally described from Europe and now known from a broad Palearctic distribution extending from Western Europe through Turkey to the Caucasus, Middle East, and Iran. It has been introduced to eastern Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec). The species belongs to the diverse genus Medon, which contains numerous small, ground-dwelling species that are often poorly distinguished morphologically. Available records are sparse, with only three observations documented on iNaturalist.
Medon rufipenne
Medon rufipenne is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It belongs to the tribe Medonini, a group of small to medium-sized predatory beetles. The species epithet 'rufipenne' refers to the reddish coloration of the elytra. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist ground-level habitats where it preys on small invertebrates.
Megalopinus lingafelteri
Megalopinus lingafelteri is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. The genus Megalopinus is known for containing relatively large species within this family, though specific information about M. lingafelteri itself is extremely limited. No observations of this species have been recorded in iNaturalist, and no published biological or ecological data are readily available. The species epithet suggests it may have been named in honor of an individual, following a common practice in coleopteran taxonomy.
Megalopinus rufipes
Megalopinus rufipes is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Megalopsidiinae. It is one of the largest rove beetles, with adults reaching approximately 20 mm in length. The species is distinguished by its reddish-orange legs, which contrast with its dark body. It has been recorded from the southeastern United States through Mexico, with some unconfirmed reports from Central and South America.
Megarthrus excisus
Megarthrus excisus is a species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Proteininae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. The species is broadly distributed across northern North America, with records spanning boreal and temperate regions of Canada and the northern United States. Like other members of the genus Megarthrus, it is associated with forest floor habitats and decomposing organic matter. The genus is characterized by distinctive modifications of the male genitalia and antennae structure.
Megarthrus pictus
Megarthrus pictus is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) endemic to western North America. It is distinguished from other Nearctic Megarthrus species by its bicolored elytra and angulate temples. The body is predominantly brownish yellow in coloration. It is the only Nearctic species in its genus exhibiting this combination of traits that is endemic to Western North America.
Megastilicus
Megastilicus is a genus of myrmecophilous rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Paederinae) endemic to North America. The genus was long considered monotypic, containing only Megastilicus formicarius Casey, 1889, until the description of Megastilicus iowaensis in 2021. These beetles are specialized associates of ants, particularly Formica ulkei. The genus is classified in the subtribe Stilicina based on morphological characteristics.
Megastilicus formicarius
Megastilicus formicarius is a myrmecophilous rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Paederinae) native to North America. It was the sole species in its genus until the 2021 description of M. iowaensis. The species is obligately associated with ants, specifically documented with Formica ulkei colonies. Like other myrmecophilous Paederinae, it likely lives within ant nests, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species is known from museum specimens across northeastern and midwestern North America.
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.
Melba sulcatula
ant-loving beetle
Melba sulcatula is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, specifically within the ant-associated subfamily Pselaphinae. It was described by Thomas L. Casey in 1897 and is known from scattered records across the eastern and central United States. The species is classified within the tribe Trichonychini and subtribe Trimiina, a group characterized by small body size and ecological dependence on ant colonies.
Micralymma
Micralymma is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae) established by Westwood in 1837. The genus contains marine intertidal species, with M. marinum being the most documented member. Species in this genus are among the few beetles adapted to regular saltwater submersion. The genus has been recorded in both Europe and North America.
Microdonia
Microdonia is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Casey in 1893. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America. Members belong to the tribe Lomechusini within the subfamily Aleocharinae, a group known for myrmecophilous (ant-associated) associations. The genus remains poorly known, with limited ecological and behavioral documentation.
Microdonia laticollis
Microdonia laticollis is a species of rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the tribe Lomechusini. Described by Brues in 1902, this species belongs to a genus of myrmecophilous beetles associated with ant colonies. The specific epithet 'laticollis' refers to the broad pronotum characteristic of this species. Like other members of the subtribe Myrmedoniina, it is adapted to life within ant nests.
Microedus austinianus
Nearctic rove beetle and type species of the genus Microedus. First illustration of mouthparts and aedeagus provided in 2022 taxonomic revision. One of seven Nearctic species in a genus now recognized as transcontinental.
Microlia
Microlia is a small genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Hoplandriini) comprising approximately twelve species. The genus has a disjunct distribution across Australasian and New World regions, with recent records from Brazil representing the first South American occurrences. Members of this genus are obligate pollen-feeders, with multiple species documented in association with flowers of Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Monimiaceae.
Micropeplus laticollis
Large-collared Marsh Rove Beetle
Micropeplus laticollis is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Micropeplinae, characterized by its distinctive broad pronotum that gives rise to both its specific epithet ('laticollis' = broad-necked) and common name. The species occurs across northern North America from Alaska and Yukon through Canada to the northern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with marshy or wetland habitats. The subfamily Micropeplinae is a small, specialized group within the megadiverse family Staphylinidae.
Micropeplus neotomae
Micropeplus neotomae is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Micropeplinae, described by Campbell in 1968. The species epithet 'neotomae' suggests an association with the rodent genus Neotoma (woodrats/packrats). It is known from California and Oregon in the western United States. As a member of the Staphylinidae, it possesses the characteristic short elytra that expose most of the abdomen.
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.
Mipseltyrus nicolayi
Mipseltyrus nicolayi is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Orlando Park in 1953. It belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a group of small rove beetles commonly associated with ant colonies. The species is known from North America, with records from North Carolina and Tennessee.
Mocyta sphagnorum
Mocyta sphagnorum is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described in 2015 from Canadian material. The species is associated with Sphagnum moss habitats, as indicated by its specific epithet. It belongs to the large subfamily Aleocharinae, one of the most diverse groups within the rove beetles. The species has been documented from multiple Canadian provinces and Alaska.
Myllaena
Myllaena is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, and tribe Myllaenini. The genus contains more than 60 described species distributed across the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. A taxonomic revision of Nearctic species recognized 20 species arranged into four species groups: Cuneata, Insomnis, Potawatomi, and Seminole.
Myllaena audax
Myllaena audax is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1911. It belongs to the subfamily Aleocharinae, one of the largest subfamilies of rove beetles. The species has been recorded across northern North America, with documented occurrences in Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador, and in the United States from Alaska to the Northeast and across to the Pacific Northwest. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist habitats where it functions as a generalist predator or scavenger, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Myrmecocephalus cingulatus
Myrmecocephalus cingulatus is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) in the tribe Falagriini. It occurs across eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States. The genus name 'Myrmecocephalus' (ant-head) refers to the ant-like appearance of these beetles. This species is rarely collected and poorly known biologically.
Myrmecocephalus concinnus
Myrmecocephalus concinnus is a species of rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae. It has an exceptionally broad geographic distribution spanning six continents, including native ranges in Africa, North and South America, Europe, and Asia, with introduced populations in New Zealand and the Galápagos Islands. The species belongs to the tribe Falagriini, a group of small to medium-sized rove beetles often associated with ant colonies or decaying organic matter.
Myrmecosaurus ferrugineus
Myrmecosaurus ferrugineus is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Paederinae) first described from Argentina in 1932. The species has been introduced to the southeastern United States, where it has been recorded in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. As a member of the myrmecophilous genus Myrmecosaurus, it is associated with ant colonies, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented. The species name refers to its rusty or iron-colored appearance.
Myrmedonota aidani
Myrmedonota aidani is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, described in 2008. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with ant colonies, though specific ecological details for this species remain undocumented. The species is known from limited collection records in eastern North America.
Myrmedonota lewisi
Myrmedonota lewisi is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Maruyama & Klimaszewski in 2008. The species is known from Indiana, USA. It belongs to the tribe Lomechusini, a group noted for ant-associated behaviors. Members of the genus Myrmedonota are recognized for their ecological relationships with ants, including predation on ants attracted by alarm pheromones.
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.
Neobeyeria arizonensis
Neobeyeria arizonensis is a species of rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) described in 1987 from Arizona. It belongs to the tribe Crematoxenini within the subfamily Aleocharinae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their shortened elytra that leave much of the abdomen exposed. As a member of this tribe, it is likely associated with termite colonies, though specific host relationships for this species remain undocumented.
Neobisnius gratus
Neobisnius gratus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. It belongs to the subfamily Staphylininae and tribe Staphylinini. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States and Mexico, with additional unconfirmed reports from Argentina. Available information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Neobisnius jocosus
A rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, recognized as a valid species with *alternans* (Sharp) synonymized under it. Part of a genus revision that established species boundaries through morphological analysis of adult males.