Sap-beetle
Guides
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.
Anthonaeus agavensis
Anthonaeus agavensis is a small beetle in the family Kateretidae, a group of sap beetles. It was described by Crotch in 1874. The species is associated with agave plants, as indicated by its specific epithet. Very few observations exist, with only 7 records on iNaturalist.
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.
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 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.
Carpophilus
sap beetles
Carpophilus is a genus of sap beetles (Nitidulidae) containing numerous species worldwide. Adults are small (approximately 3 mm), oblong beetles with short elytra that expose the last two abdominal tergites. Several species are significant agricultural pests of fruits, nuts, and stored products. The genus exhibits diverse ecological roles, with some species acting as pollinators while others serve as vectors of plant pathogens.
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.
Chalcolepidius lenzi
Chalcolepidius lenzi is a click beetle species in the family Elateridae. It has been documented in Arizona, specifically in the Santa Rita Mountains, where it was observed at sap flows on Baccharis sarothroides (desert broom). The genus Chalcolepidius is known for large, robust click beetles with metallic coloration. Observations suggest this species is associated with woody vegetation in arid and semi-arid environments.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
Lobiopa
sap beetles
Lobiopa is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, containing approximately seven described species. The genus includes economically significant agricultural pests, particularly Lobiopa insularis (strawberry sap beetle), which causes direct fruit damage and indirect losses through fungal transmission in strawberry crops across the Americas. Members of this genus exhibit frugivorous feeding habits on ripe fruits and display complex reproductive behaviors including mate guarding and soil oviposition.
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.
Nitidula bipunctata
two-spotted sap beetle, two-dots sap beetle
Nitidula bipunctata, commonly known as the two-spotted sap beetle, is a sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It has a holarctic distribution, occurring across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species is associated with carrion and decomposing organic matter, though its specific ecological relationships remain incompletely documented.
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.
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
Omosita is a genus of sap beetles (family Nitidulidae) erected in 1843. The genus comprises five described species distributed across the Holarctic and introduced regions. Omosita species are notable for their association with stored products and carrion, with documented forensic significance due to their presence on human remains. Larvae have been recovered from decomposing human bone and successfully analyzed for human mitochondrial DNA.
Omosita nearctica
Northern Sap Beetle
Omosita nearctica is a small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, native to the Nearctic region. The species is a stored-product pest with documented associations to carrion, giving it potential significance as both a biosecurity risk and a forensic indicator. It has established populations in South Africa, representing the first African record for this species. The mature larva was described for the first time in 2021 based on specimens collected from this introduced population.
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.