Sap-beetles
Guides
Amphotis
sap-feeding beetles
Amphotis is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across Europe and North America. At least one species, A. marginata, has been documented as a phoretic host for mites in European Russia.
Caplothorax
sap beetles
Caplothorax is a genus of sap beetles in the family Nitidulidae. The genus comprises 11 described species distributed across North America and Europe. It was established by Kirejtshuk in 1997. GBIF lists Caplothorax as a synonym of Carpophilus, though iNaturalist maintains it as a valid genus with over 500 observations.
Carpophilinae
Carpophilinae is a subfamily of sap beetles (Nitidulidae) comprising at least 70 described species across six genera: Amphicrossus, Aphenolia, Carpophilus, Caplothorax, Epuraea, Nitops, and Urophorus. Recent phylogenetic studies have reclassified the group, elevating Caplothorax to generic rank and confirming the monophyly of Nitops, Urophorus, and Caplothorax. The subfamily exhibits multiple independent origins of anthophily (flower-visiting behavior), a trait that has evolved convergently across lineages.
Cucujoidea
flat bark beetles, fungus beetles, sap beetles
Cucujoidea is a superfamily of beetles within the infraorder Cucujiformia, comprising 25 extant families and two extinct families. This group includes fungus beetles, flat bark beetles, sap beetles, and diverse lineages of 'bark beetles' unrelated to the true bark beetles (Scolytinae, Curculionoidea). Members exhibit varied morphology without unifying external features, though adults share internal characteristics including open procoxal cavities and specific tarsal formulas. The superfamily formerly encompassed families now placed in Coccinelloidea. Ecologically, most species have cryptic habits in fungi, leaf litter, or dead wood, with some lineages associated with flowers or stored food products.
Epuraea
sap beetles
Epuraea is a genus of small sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains at least 40 described species distributed across northern temperate regions. Epuraea species are primarily associated with fermenting plant materials, fungal sporulation structures, and decaying organic matter. Several species have documented relationships with specific fungal pathogens of trees, including western gall rust and oak wilt fungus. The genus exhibits considerable ecological diversity, with some species occurring in bumblebee nests and others developing on agricultural crops.
Genistogethes
Genistogethes is a genus of sap beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established in 2009. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with flowers and decaying plant material. The genus is relatively poorly documented with limited published biological information.
Glischrochilus
picnic beetles, beer bugs
Glischrochilus is a genus of small beetles in the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as picnic beetles or beer bugs. The genus contains two subgenera with divergent feeding strategies: Librodor species feed on sap and fermenting plant matter, while Glischrochilus species are predators of soft invertebrates. Most species are characterized by black bodies with contrasting yellow, red, or orange elytral markings. The genus is distributed across North America and Eurasia and includes several agricultural pests.
Nitidulidae
sap beetles, sap-feeding beetles, picnic beetles
Nitidulidae is a family of small beetles commonly known as sap beetles or picnic beetles, with approximately 4,500 described species worldwide and 173 species in North America. Members exhibit highly variable feeding habits, ranging from sap-feeding to scavenging on carrion, fermenting fruits, fungi, and stored products. Several species are economically significant as agricultural pests, particularly in tree nut crops and honey bee colonies. The family has gained recent attention as vectors of the oak wilt pathogen (Bretziella fagacearum), with beetles transmitting fungal spores from infected to healthy oak trees. Some species have been successfully deployed in bioconversion systems to recycle agricultural waste.
Nitidulinae
sap beetles
Nitidulinae is a subfamily of small beetles within the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as sap beetles. The subfamily contains approximately 110 genera and at least 70 described species, though taxonomic revision is ongoing. Members are primarily associated with fungal substrates, particularly large-bodied Basidiomycetes, and exhibit diverse feeding habits including phallalophagy in some lineages. The group has been subject to recent phylogenetic study focusing on body convexity as a morphological trait and host-use patterns.
Pocadius
hairy puffball beetle
Pocadius is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Erichson in 1843. The genus comprises approximately 47 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with particularly high diversity in Central and South America. Species were historically underdescribed, with a major revision in 2008 expanding the genus from nine to 47 recognized species. The genus includes both described larvae and adults, with some species associated with fungal substrates.
Psilopyga
stinkhorn beetles
Psilopyga is a genus of small beetles in the family Nitidulidae, commonly known as sap beetles. The genus contains at least four described species, including two with common names referencing their association with stinkhorn fungi: the black stinkhorn beetle (P. histrina) and the stinkhorn beetle (P. nigripennis). Species in this genus are known to feed on sap and are associated with fungal fruiting bodies.
Thalycra
Thalycra is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, established by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains at least 20 described species. These beetles are attracted to lights at night and are associated with fermenting plant materials.