Rove-beetles
Guides
Cyphea
Cyphea is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, and tribe Homalotini. It was described by Fauvel in 1863. The genus contains at least one described species, Cyphea curtula. Members of this genus are found in Europe and North America.
Cyrtoquediina
Cyrtoquediina is a subtribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by Brunke & Solodovnikov in 2016. It belongs to the tribe Staphylinini within the subfamily Staphylininae. The subtribe contains multiple genera of medium to large-sized rove beetles. Members are distributed across the Holarctic region, with particular diversity in Eurasia.
Cyrtoquedius
Cyrtoquedius is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Bernhauer in 1917. It belongs to the subtribe Cyrtoquediina within the tribe Staphylinini. The genus contains relatively few described species and is poorly represented in scientific literature. Available records indicate limited observational data, with only 26 documented observations on iNaturalist.
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.
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.
Dasycerinae
Dasycerinae is a small subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing one extant genus (Dasycerus) and three extinct genera. These beetles are characterized by their compact body form with elytra that cover or nearly cover the abdomen, unlike the typically abbreviated elytra of most rove beetles. The subfamily is notable for its relictual distribution and association with moist forest habitats.
Dasygnypeta
Dasygnypeta is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, and tribe Tachyusini. It was described by Lohse in 1974. The genus is known from Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. A single species, Dasygnypeta velata, has been described.
Dianous
Dianous is a genus of rove beetles in the subfamily Steninae, characterized by their specialized ability to glide across water surfaces. All representatives of this genus possess pygidial glands that secrete alkaloid and terpene compounds, including stenusine and related molecules, which reduce water surface tension to enable rapid skimming locomotion. The genus has been documented across Europe, Asia, and North America, with particular taxonomic attention in China and Turkey where multiple new species have been described in recent years. Dianous species are specialist predators of small invertebrates.
Dinaraea
Dinaraea is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, tribe Athetini, comprising approximately 16 described species. The genus is saproxylic, inhabiting dead wood habitats including subcortical galleries, rotting tree trunks, and polypore fruiting bodies. Larval morphology was first described in 2018 based on two European species, revealing diagnostic characters for the genus and distinct morphological differences between early (L1) and late (L2–3) larval instars.
Dinardina
Dinardina is a subtribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) within the tribe Oxypodini, subfamily Aleocharinae. It was established by Mulsant & Rey in 1873. The subtribe contains small to minute beetles associated with ant colonies. Members exhibit myrmecophilous (ant-associated) lifestyles, though specific ecological relationships vary among included genera. The subtribe is primarily documented from European faunas.
Diochini
Diochini is a tribe of rove beetles within the subfamily Staphylininae, established by Casey in 1906. The tribe contains at least 2 genera and 84 described species. Coomania was historically included but was removed to its own monotypic tribe Coomaniini in 2020. Members are small to medium-sized predatory beetles with the characteristic short elytra of rove beetles.
Dropephylla
Dropephylla is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by Mulsant & Rey in 1880. The genus belongs to the subfamily Omaliinae and has been the subject of taxonomic revision for Palaearctic species. Records indicate presence in northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Echiasterina
Echiasterina is a subtribe of rove beetles within the family Staphylinidae, established by Casey in 1905. It belongs to the tribe Lathrobiini in the subfamily Paederinae. Members of this subtribe are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by the typically short elytra that expose much of the abdomen, a defining feature of Staphylinidae. The group has limited observational records, with 47 observations documented on iNaturalist. Information regarding specific species composition, biology, and ecological roles remains sparse in published literature.
Ecitoxenidia
Ecitoxenidia is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by Wasmann in 1909. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America. Based on its tribal placement in Lomechusini, members are likely myrmecophiles (ant-associated), though direct host records are not documented in available sources.
Empelinae
Empelinae is a small subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) with poorly understood biology. The subfamily contains a single monotypic genus, Empelus, with only one described species, Empelus brunipennis. Members are minute beetles under 2 mm in length, found in secluded microhabitats including forest leaf litter, fungi, and moss along stream edges. Their reclusive ecology has made collection and study difficult, resulting in substantial gaps in knowledge about their life history and behavior.
Empelus
Empelus is a genus of rove beetles in the subfamily Empelinae, established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1861. The genus is part of the hyperdiverse family Staphylinidae, one of the largest families of organisms. Members of Empelinae are characterized by distinctive morphological features including reduced wing venation and specialized mouthpart structures. The genus remains poorly known, with limited species documentation and biological data available.
Euaesthetinae
A subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing six tribes. Members are distinguished by slender antennae with two or three apical antennomeres forming a loose club, and tarsal segmentation of 4-4-4 or 5-5-5 (5-5-4 in some exotic genera). Five genera and 22 species are recorded from North America. The genus Octavius, primarily distributed in the Afrotropical region, has been subject to recent taxonomic revision in South Africa.
Euaesthetini
Euaesthetini is a tribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) within the subfamily Euaesthetinae, established by Thomson in 1859. Members are small, often minute beetles characterized by distinctive antennal and mouthpart structures. The tribe is distinguished from the related Stenina by specific morphological features of the head and antennae. Euaesthetini contains multiple genera distributed across various biogeographic regions.
Eucnecosum
Eucnecosum is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae) established by Reitter in 1909. The genus comprises three valid holarctic species: E. brachypterum, E. tenue, and E. brunnescens, all transferred from the genus Arpedium. These beetles occur in both Europe and North America, with E. tenue having been previously described under multiple synonyms including E. meybohmi.
Eudectus
Eudectus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Omaliinae. The genus was established by Redtenbacher in 1857 and contains at least two described species. Members are found in disjunct regions of Europe and Japan, suggesting a relictual distribution pattern.
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.
Eusphalerini
Eusphalerini is a tribe of rove beetles within the subfamily Omaliinae, established by Hatch in 1957. The tribe contains small to medium-sized beetles characterized by particular configurations of the abdominal tergites and wing venation. Members are primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere, with greatest diversity in the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. The group remains relatively poorly studied compared to other omaliine tribes.
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.
Falagriini
Falagriini is a tribe of rove beetles within the subfamily Aleocharinae, containing approximately 11 genera and at least 20 described species. The tribe includes several myrmecophilous genera, with some species exhibiting associations with ants. Phylogenetic studies have clarified relationships within the tribe, including the recovery of Sceptobiini as nested within Falagriini.
Faronitae
Faronitae is a supertribe of small rove beetles (Pselaphinae: Staphylinidae) comprising 29 genera worldwide. The group is particularly diverse in Australia and New Zealand, where 13 genera occur. Recent taxonomic work has described multiple new genera from these regions, including Porongurup from Western Australia, Pseudostenosagola from New Zealand, and Australosagola from southern Australia. Members are characterized by reduced body size and specialized morphological features associated with leaf litter and soil habitats.
Geodromicus
Geodromicus is a genus of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini) established by Redtenbacher in 1857. The genus is distributed across the Palaearctic region, with species occurring from Western Europe through Central Asia to East Asia. Taxonomic research has organized species into multiple species groups including the bodemeyeri, convexicollis, brevicollis, plagiatus, major, lestevoides, crassipalpis, aokii, and sinuatus groups. The genus has been subject to extensive revision, with numerous synonymies established and several new species described in recent years.
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.
Goniusa
Goniusa is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, and tribe Athetini. The genus was established by Casey in 1906 and contains at least three described species. Members of this genus are small beetles with the characteristic short elytra of rove beetles, leaving most of the abdomen exposed.
Gymnusa
Gymnusa is a genus of small rove beetles in the tribe Gymnusini, characterized by uniformly dark coloration and semi-aquatic to aquatic habits. Species range from 4.2 to 6.5 mm in length and inhabit detritus-rich wetlands across the Nearctic and Palearctic regions.
Habrocerinae
Habrocerinae is a small subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing two genera: Habrocerus and Nomimocerus. Members are characterized by extremely slender antennomeres and compact, sublimuloid body form. The subfamily is primarily associated with forest litter, wood debris, and fungi. Habrocerus, with three species, is the only genus recorded from North America.
Haida
Haida is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) described by Keen in 1897. It belongs to the subfamily Omaliinae and tribe Coryphiini. The genus is rarely encountered, with limited observational records.
Halobrecta
Halobrecta is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae) comprising approximately six described species. The genus was established by C.G. Thomson in 1858 and is classified within the tribe Taxicerini. Species in this genus occur in northern Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The genus name suggests an association with saline or brackish habitats, though specific ecological requirements remain poorly documented.
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.
Hapalaraea
Hapalaraea is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Omaliinae. The genus was established by C.G. Thomson in 1858 and contains at least two described species: Hapalaraea alutacea and Hapalaraea hamata. These beetles are distributed across Europe and North America. As members of the Omaliinae, they are associated with forest floor habitats and decomposing organic matter.
Hesperus
Hesperus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by Fauvel in 1874. Species in this genus are found in association with rice agroecosystems, where they interact with other organisms in these agricultural habitats. The genus belongs to the tribe Philonthina within the subfamily Staphylininae. At least one species, Hesperus barrioni, has been formally described from the Philippines.
Homalota
Homalota is a genus of rove beetles established by Mannerheim in 1830. The genus contains more than 80 described species and is classified within the tribe Homalotini of the subfamily Aleocharinae. Members of this genus share the characteristic short elytra and exposed abdominal segments typical of Staphylinidae. The genus has been documented in northern European countries including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Hoplandria
Hoplandria is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae) established by Kraatz in 1857. The Nearctic fauna comprises 12 recognized species arranged in four subgenera: Hoplandria, Genosema, Lophomucter, and Arrhenandria. The genus is taxonomically well-characterized through revisionary work, though biological and ecological data remain limited.
Hoplandriini
Hoplandriini rove beetles
Hoplandriini is a tribe of small rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) containing at least 5 genera and 21 described species. The tribe includes the genus Microlia, whose members are pollen-feeders frequently associated with flowers of Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Monimiaceae. Some species, such as Microlia cayaponia, have been observed foraging on Cayaponia flowers and may compete with pollinators for pollen resources. The tribe occurs in the New World and Australasia.
Hypocyphtini
Hypocyphtini is a tribe of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae) established by Laporte de Castelnau in 1835. Members of this tribe are small to minute beetles characterized by compact body forms and reduced or modified wing structures. The tribe is distinguished from related aleocharine tribes primarily by genitalic and mouthpart morphology. Hypocyphtini species are primarily associated with decaying organic matter and are found across multiple continents, though individual species tend to have narrow distributions.
Hypotelus
Hypotelus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Piestinae. The genus was established by Erichson in 1839 and contains species characterized by their association with decaying organic matter. Members of this genus are part of the diverse staphylinid fauna that contribute to decomposition processes in forest ecosystems.
Ilyobates
A genus of small rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Oxypodini) containing six recognized valid species distributed across the Pontomediterranean region. Adults exhibit pronounced intraspecific morphological variation and overwinter in cryptic underground habitats. The genus has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, with numerous historical synonyms resolved.
Ischnosoma
Ischnosoma is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae) established by Stephens in 1829. The genus is distinguished from the closely related Mycetoporus by specific morphological characters, particularly in the structure of the male genitalia and the form of the pronotum. Ischnosoma contains numerous species distributed across Eurasia, the Americas, and Australia, with particularly high diversity in China, where over 29 species have been documented. North and Central American species have been revised extensively, with 18 species recognized in that region alone.
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.
Kalissus
Kalissus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Micropeplinae, established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. Members of this genus are small beetles characterized by their reduced elytra that leave much of the abdomen exposed, a defining feature of the family. The genus is part of the diverse Staphylinoidea superfamily, which contains thousands of species worldwide. Specific ecological and behavioral details for Kalissus remain poorly documented in available literature.
Lathrobiina
Lathrobiina is a subtribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Paederinae) containing approximately 25 genera. Members are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by the typical staphylinid body plan: shortened elytra exposing most of the abdomen. The subtribe has a global distribution with particular diversity in the Palaearctic region. Recent taxonomic revisions have recognized new genera based on subtle morphological distinctions, indicating ongoing refinement of the group's classification.
Leptoscydmus
Leptoscydmus is a genus of minute rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Leptoscydmini, a group of small beetles adapted to life in soil and leaf litter microhabitats. The genus was established by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1897 and contains species distributed in North America. These beetles are part of the diverse scydmaenine fauna that plays roles in decomposer food webs.
Leptotyphlinae
Leptotyphlinae is a subfamily of minute rove beetles (Staphylinidae) characterized by extreme miniaturization and subterranean adaptations. Adults are eyeless, wingless, and measure less than 1.8 mm in length. The subfamily contains at least nine genera and 13 species in North America, with records from western states and Florida.
Lesteva
ocellate rove beetles
Lesteva is a genus of ocellate rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, containing at least 60 described species. Members of this genus are small predatory beetles with distinct ocelli on the head. At least one species, L. pallipes, has been identified as a subnivium specialist—active beneath winter snowpack and rare or inactive during summer. The genus has a Holarctic distribution with species recorded across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Liparocephalini
Liparocephalini is a tribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) comprising approximately 5 genera and more than 20 described species. The tribe is notable for its specialized colonization of intertidal marine habitats, representing a rare ecological transition among beetles. Phylogenetic studies indicate that ancestors of Liparocephalini originated in beach littoral zones and subsequently colonized rocky reef areas in the low tidal zone through intermediate tidal zones.
Liparocephalus
Liparocephalus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, tribe Liparocephalini. The genus contains four described species: L. brevipennis, L. cordicollis, L. litoralis, and L. tokunagai. These beetles are associated with coastal or shoreline habitats, as suggested by the specific epithet 'litoralis' (of the shore) and collection records from the Kuril Islands and Hokkaido.