Saproxylic
Guides
Abraeini
Abraeini is a tribe of minute clown beetles within the family Histeridae, first described by MacLeay in 1819. Members of this tribe are among the smallest histerid beetles and are characterized by reduced elytra that expose several abdominal segments. They are primarily associated with decaying organic matter and have been observed in various microhabitats including dung, carrion, and fungal fruiting bodies. The tribe contains multiple genera, though species-level taxonomy remains incompletely resolved for many groups.
Abraeus
Abraeus is a genus of small hister beetles in the family Histeridae. Species in this genus are saproxylic, associated with dead and decaying wood. The genus contains at least nine described species distributed across Europe. Abraeus beetles are rarely collected due to their specialized habitat requirements and small size.
Absensiugum
Absensiugum is a genus of beetles in the family Eucnemidae, commonly known as false click beetles. Members of this genus are part of a group characterized by larvae that develop in decaying wood. The genus is relatively obscure with limited documented observations.
Acaricoris
flat bugs
Acaricoris is a genus of flat bugs (family Aradidae) established by Harris & Drake in 1944. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed primarily in North America and the Caribbean. Members of this genus are associated with decaying wood habitats. As with other aradids, they are flattened dorsoventrally and are typically found in concealed microhabitats such as under bark.
Acritus exiguus
clown beetle
Acritus exiguus is a small clown beetle (family Histeridae) described by Erichson in 1834. It occurs across much of eastern North America from southern Canada to Mexico, with records from the northeastern United States through the Gulf Coast states and west to Colorado and Texas. Like other members of the genus Acritus, it is minute in size and associated with decaying organic matter. The species is documented from museum collections and limited iNaturalist observations, though detailed ecological studies remain sparse.
Adelothyreus
Adelothyreus is a genus of false click beetles (family Eucnemidae) established by Horn in 1890. The genus is rarely encountered, with only two observations documented on iNaturalist. Members of Eucnemidae are characterized by their inability to produce the clicking sound typical of true click beetles (Elateridae), despite superficial similarities in body form. The genus Adelothyreus appears to be poorly represented in collections and literature.
Alaus patricius
Caribbean Eyed Click Beetle
Alaus patricius, known as the Caribbean Eyed Click Beetle, is a large click beetle in the family Elateridae. Like other members of the genus Alaus, it is characterized by prominent false eyespots on the pronotum that serve as a defensive adaptation against predators. The species exhibits the family's namesake clicking mechanism, using a prosternal spine and mesosternal notch to launch itself into the air when threatened or overturned. Larvae are predatory, inhabiting decaying wood where they hunt other insect larvae.
Alaus zunianus
Zuni Click Beetle, Arizona Eyed Click Beetle
Alaus zunianus, the Zuni Click Beetle or Arizona Eyed Click Beetle, is a large, striking species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. It is characterized by prominent false eyespots on the pronotum, a robust body, and the ability to produce an audible clicking sound by snapping a prosternal spine into a mesosternal groove. This species appears confined to Arizona and is distinguished from related eyed elaters by its rounder eyespots and ivory or beige mottled coloration rather than stark white.
Amedia
Amedia is a genus of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) established by Jaschhof in 1997. It belongs to the subfamily Lestremiinae and tribe Strobliellini. The genus comprises small, delicate flies whose larvae develop in association with fungi, particularly on decaying wood.
Ampedus
click beetles
Ampedus is a large genus of click beetles (Elateridae) comprising approximately 461 recognized species with a cosmopolitan distribution concentrated in the Holarctic region. Adults are characterized by their ability to spring into the air using a click mechanism for predator avoidance. The genus exhibits substantial size variation, with North American species ranging from 3–4 mm to 13–14 mm. Larvae are saproxylic, developing in decaying wood, while adults feed on pollen. Multiple European species are considered endangered due to logging pressures on their forest habitat.
Ampedus melsheimeri
Ampedus melsheimeri is a species of click beetle (family Elateridae) described by Leng in 1918. The species belongs to a genus of beetles commonly associated with decaying wood and fungal substrates. Records indicate it occurs in central and eastern Canada, with scattered observations suggesting it may be uncommon or undercollected. As with many Ampedus species, detailed natural history information remains limited.
Ampedus nigricollis
Black-collared Click Beetle
Ampedus nigricollis is a click beetle species distinguished by its black pronotal collar contrasting against reddish-orange elytra. It occurs primarily in eastern North America, with substantial observational records from the Canadian Maritimes and Ontario. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae develop in decaying wood, though specific life history details for this species remain incompletely documented.
Ampedus rubricus
Red Click Beetle
Ampedus rubricus, commonly known as the Red Click Beetle, is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1825 and is native to eastern Canada. Adults are characterized by their reddish coloration and possess the family's namesake clicking mechanism for righting themselves when overturned. The species is relatively well-documented on citizen science platforms with over 300 observations recorded.
Anaspis
false flower beetles
Anaspis is a large genus of small beetles in the family Scraptiidae, commonly known as false flower beetles. Adults are frequently found on flowers, particularly blossoms of trees, shrubs, and umbellifers, and exhibit a characteristic tumbling behavior when disturbed. Larvae are saproxylic, developing in decaying wood of various deciduous and coniferous trees. The genus is widespread across the Palaearctic region, with species distributed from Western Europe through Siberia to East Asia.
Andrenosoma
Chiselmouths
Andrenosoma is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) in the subfamily Laphriinae, containing at least 70 described species. The genus is distributed across North America, Europe, and the Neotropics, with greatest diversity in the Neotropical region. Species are associated with dead wood habitats, where larvae prey on wood-boring beetle larvae. Adults are predatory and typically perch on sun-exposed surfaces such as tree trunks, logs, and stumps.
Anisopodidae
Wood Gnats, Window-Gnats
Anisopodidae is a small, cosmopolitan family of gnat-like flies comprising 154 described extant species across 15 genera, with additional fossil taxa known from the Jurassic through Cenozoic. Commonly called wood gnats or window-gnats, most species are small to medium-sized (4–12 mm), though genera Olbiogaster and Lobogaster are notably larger (17–18 mm) with distinctive spatulated abdomens. The family's phylogenetic placement remains controversial, with proposals ranging from sister group to Brachycera to recognition as multiple distinct families. Some authors recognize four separate families: Anisopodidae, Mycetobiidae, Olbiogastridae, and Valeseguyidae.
Anisotoma humeralis
round fungus beetle
Anisotoma humeralis is a species of round fungus beetle in the family Leiodidae. It is distributed across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species was first described by A.G. Olivier in 1790. It belongs to a genus of small beetles commonly associated with fungal habitats.
Aradus
flat bugs
Aradus is a genus of flat bugs (family Aradidae) containing approximately 200 or more species distributed worldwide, with highest diversity in the Holarctic region. These insects are strongly associated with forest habitats, particularly dead and decaying wood where they feed on fungi. Several species exhibit pyrophilous behavior, colonizing burned forests to exploit fungi that grow on charred wood. The genus has a documented fossil record extending back to the Eocene, with 14 species described from Baltic amber inclusions.
Aradus aequalis
Aradus aequalis is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1832. It is one of approximately 200 species in the genus Aradus. Like other flat bugs, it has a strongly dorsoventrally flattened body form adapted for living in tight spaces under bark. The species is known from North America, with records from the United States including Vermont.
Aradus approximatus
flat bug
Aradus approximatus is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, described by Parshley in 1921. It belongs to a group of true bugs characterized by their strongly flattened bodies, an adaptation for living in tight spaces under bark. The species is recorded from North America. Like other members of the genus Aradus, it is presumed to inhabit dead wood environments, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Aradus cf. acutus-w-tex
Aradus cf-acutus-w-tex is a flat bug in the family Aradidae, a group of true bugs commonly associated with dead wood and bark habitats. The "cf." designation and "w-tex" suffix indicate this is an informal, provisional designation referring to a western Texas population closely resembling Aradus acutus but not formally described as a distinct species. Flat bugs in this genus are typically small, dorsoventrally flattened insects that live cryptically under bark.
Aradus crenatus
flat bug
Aradus crenatus is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1832. The species has been recorded from Central America and North America, with additional reports from Europe. GBIF indicates its current accepted status is as a synonym of Aradus conspicuus, though this taxonomic treatment may vary across sources. As with other members of the genus Aradus, it belongs to a group of cryptic insects associated with dead wood habitats.
Aradus evermanni
Aradus evermanni is a flat bug species described by Van Duzee in 1920. Members of the family Aradidae are characterized by their extremely flattened bodies, an adaptation for living in tight spaces under bark or in decaying wood. The genus Aradus is one of the largest in the family, with species primarily associated with coniferous and deciduous trees. Specific ecological details for A. evermanni remain poorly documented.
Aradus fuscomaculatus
Aradus fuscomaculatus is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, first described by Stål in 1859. As a member of the flat bug family, it exhibits the characteristic dorsoventrally flattened body form typical of this group. The species is known from North America, where it inhabits forest environments associated with dead wood. Like other aradids, it is likely associated with subcortical habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Aradus leachi
Aradus leachi is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, described by Van Duzee in 1929. Flat bugs in this genus are characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies and association with dead wood habitats. The species is known from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Aradus robustus
flat bug
Aradus robustus is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, first described by Uhler in 1871. It is distributed across North America, with confirmed records from the United States including Vermont. The species is one of two recognized subspecies within the Aradus robustus complex, with the nominate subspecies A. r. robustus and A. r. insignis described by Parshley in 1921. As a member of the flat bug family, it belongs to a group of true bugs adapted to life under bark and in decaying wood.
Aradus similis
flat bug
Aradus similis is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, described by Thomas Say in 1832. It is native to North America and belongs to a group of insects commonly known as flat bugs due to their strongly dorsoventrally flattened bodies. Members of the genus Aradus are typically associated with dead wood and bark habitats. The species is one of many in a genus with both extant and fossil representatives, including species preserved in Baltic amber dating to the Eocene epoch.
Arhopalus rusticus montanus
Arhopalus rusticus montanus is a subspecies of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, distributed across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. The species is associated with coniferous forests and develops under the bark of dead or dying conifers. Adults are active during cooler periods, with some populations exhibiting winter activity patterns. This subspecies is part of a complex with Holarctic distribution, showing variation in host preferences across its range.
Asemum
Asemum is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Spondylinae, described by Eschscholtz in 1830. Species are primarily associated with coniferous forests and share the pyrophilous (fire-loving) trait of seeking out burned or fire-killed trees. The genus has a Holarctic distribution, with notable range expansion documented for A. tenuicorne into northern Europe. A. striatum, the type species, is among the most widespread and serves as host for specialized tylenchid nematode parasites.
Atarba picticornis
Atarba picticornis is a limoniid crane fly whose larvae develop in decaying hardwood logs and stumps, where they feed on decomposing wood and associated fungi. The life cycle spans approximately one year, with adults emerging in spring to mate in swarms near larval habitat sites. This species functions as a decomposer in forest ecosystems and has been documented across eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States.
Athetini
Athetini is a large tribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) comprising at least 50 genera and 430 described species. The tribe is taxonomically complex, with ongoing research into its limits and internal relationships; it was not recovered as monophyletic in molecular phylogenetic studies. Multiple independent origins of coastal habitat specialization have been documented within the tribe.
Atholus sedecimstriatus
clown beetle
Atholus sedecimstriatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Thomas Say in 1825. The species is native to North America and has been documented in both the United States and Canada. It belongs to a genus of small histerid beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter. The specific epithet 'sedecimstriatus' (Latin for 'sixteen-striped') likely refers to elytral striation patterns characteristic of the species.
Aulacigaster
Aulacigaster is a genus of small flies in the family Aulacigastridae (order Diptera). Species in this genus are associated with decaying tree sap flows, where their larvae develop. The best-documented species, Aulacigaster leucopeza, has been studied for its complete postembryonic development. The genus has a limited known distribution in northern Europe.
Axylophilus
Axylophilus is a genus of ant-like leaf beetles in the family Aderidae, established by Casey in 1895. Members of this genus are small, inconspicuous beetles associated with decaying wood and leaf litter habitats. The genus is part of a family historically placed within Tenebrionoidea, though Aderidae systematics remain under study. Very few observations or studies document this genus directly.
Bibionomorpha
Gnats and Allies
Bibionomorpha is a diverse infraorder of lower Diptera (Nematocera) containing over 2,000 described species across ten extant families. The group includes economically and ecologically significant families such as Mycetophilidae (fungus gnats), Cecidomyiidae (gall midges), Sciaridae (dark-winged fungus gnats), and Bibionidae (march flies). Larvae are predominantly saprophagous or fungivorous, with the Cecidomyiidae being predominantly gall-formers. The infraorder originated in the Triassic, with major superfamilies diversifying from the late Triassic through the Cretaceous. The Anisopodidae is phylogenetically significant as the presumed sister taxon to the entire suborder Brachycera.
Biphyllidae
False Skin Beetles
Biphyllidae, commonly known as false skin beetles, is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cleroidea. The family contains approximately 195 described species distributed globally except New Zealand. Members are primarily found in concealed microhabitats including under bark of dead trees and in leaf litter. The family includes 11 extant genera plus one fossil genus from Late Cretaceous Taimyr amber.
Bolitocharina
Bolitocharina is a subtribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) within the tribe Homalotini, subfamily Aleocharinae. It was established by Carl Gustaf Thomson in 1859. The subtribe contains multiple genera of small to minute beetles characterized by compact body forms and reduced elytra typical of the family. Members are found primarily in the Holarctic region, with some representation in other biogeographic zones.
Bolitophagus
Bolitophagus is a genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) described by Illiger in 1798. The genus occurs across Eurasia and North America. The best-studied species, Bolitophagus reticulatus, is a saproxylic beetle that develops exclusively in fruiting bodies of the wood-decaying fungus Fomes fomentarius.
Boridae
Conifer Bark Beetles
Boridae is a small family of tenebrionoid beetles comprising three genera: Boros (North America and northern Eurasia), Lecontia (endemic to North America), and Synercticus (Australia and New Guinea). These saproxylic beetles are strongly associated with coniferous trees, particularly standing dead pines. The family was previously classified within Salpingidae before being recognized as distinct. Despite their common name, they are not destructive forest pests but rather occupy specialized niches in dead wood decomposition.
Bothriderini
Bothriderini is a tribe of beetles within the family Bothrideridae. Members of this tribe are small, often flattened beetles with compact bodies. The tribe is part of the broader Bothrideridae family, which consists primarily of ectoparasitoids of wood-boring beetles. Bothriderini species are associated with decaying wood habitats where their hosts occur.
Brachyopa
Sapeaters
Brachyopa is a Holarctic genus of hoverflies (Syrphidae) characterized by atypical grey and brown coloration that distinguishes them from the typically bright-colored members of their family. These flies are cryptic and easily overlooked among other dipteran families. Larvae develop under bark of dead wood in association with decaying sap, making the genus saproxylic. Adults have been observed feeding on sap flows from wounded trees.
Brachypalpus
Catkin Flies
Brachypalpus is a genus of hoverflies (Syrphidae) commonly known as catkin flies. Adults are distinguished by their triangular head that projects forward and downward, and males possess a spur on the hind trochanter. The genus comprises approximately 15 described species distributed primarily across the Holarctic region. Larvae develop in decaying wood and sap flows under tree bark.
Brachypalpus undescribed-b
Brachypalpus undescribed-b is an undescribed species within the hoverfly genus Brachypalpus (family Syrphidae). The genus Brachypalpus comprises medium-sized, often hairy hoverflies with larvae that develop in decaying wood and sap flows. This particular taxon is recognized from specimens that have been collected but not yet formally described in the scientific literature, indicating it represents a distinct morphological entity awaiting taxonomic treatment. As with other members of the genus, it is presumed to be associated with woodland habitats and saproxylic (dead wood-dependent) ecological systems.
Brachyrhynchus
Brachyrhynchus is a genus of true bugs in the family Aradidae (flat bugs). These insects are characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies and are typically found in association with decaying wood and bark habitats. The genus has been documented in 467 iNaturalist observations. Taxonomic placement has been historically confused, with some sources previously associating the name with weevils (Curculionidae), but current consensus places Brachyrhynchus within Hemiptera: Aradidae.
Brachysomida
Brachysomida is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lepturinae, tribe Rhagiini. It contains five described species distributed in North America, including B. atra, B. bivittata, B. californica, B. rugicollis, and B. vittigera. The genus was established by Casey in 1913. Species in this genus are associated with forested habitats and are part of the flower-visiting longhorn beetle fauna.
Buprestis confluenta
Yellow-spotted Jewel Beetle
Buprestis confluenta is a striking metallic wood-boring beetle distinguished by its emerald green to coppery-brown coloration with dense, more or less confluent yellow flecks across the elytra. The species is primarily associated with dead cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) in central and western North America. Despite the abundance of suitable host trees in some regions, it remains uncommonly encountered and is considered elusive by collectors. Adults are typically found on large, dead, barkless cottonwood trunks.
Calliodis temnostethoides
Calliodis temnostethoides is a minute predatory bug in the family Anthocoridae. Adults are saproxylic, associated with dead wood and found in clusters of dead leaves, particularly following wind disturbances. The species is known from limited collections in North America, with specific documentation from Michigan.
Callirhipidae
Callirhipid Cedar Beetles, Cedar Beetles
Callirhipidae is a family of elateriform beetles containing approximately 175 valid species in 10 genera. The family is distributed throughout low-latitude regions worldwide, with notable absence from tropical Africa and Madagascar. The only North American representative is Zenoa picea, found across the eastern and central United States. Larvae develop in decaying hardwood, particularly oak and hickory, with a two-year life cycle. Adults are generally nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Cardiophorus edwardsi
Cardiophorus edwardsi is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, first described by Horn in 1871. As a member of the subfamily Cardiophorinae, it possesses the characteristic heart-shaped prosternal process that gives the genus its name. The species is documented from western North America, with confirmed records from British Columbia, Canada. Like other click beetles, it is capable of the 'clicking' mechanism that allows it to right itself when flipped onto its back.
Catops davidsoni
Catops davidsoni is a species of small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Salgado in 1999. It belongs to the genus Catops, which comprises beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter and vertebrate remains. The species is known from scattered localities in eastern North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and the eastern United States.
Cerophytidae
Rare Click Beetles
Cerophytidae is a small family of elateroid beetles commonly known as rare click beetles. The family contains approximately 23 extant species distributed across five genera, with the majority of diversity concentrated in the Neotropics. Adults possess a clicking mechanism convergent with Elateridae, though they are less specialized for jumping and better adapted for rapid walking and flight. The family has a significant fossil record extending to the Early Jurassic, with 17 fossil species in seven genera documented.
Ceruchus
Ceruchus is a genus of stag beetles in the family Lucanidae, established by Macleay in 1819. The genus comprises approximately 18–19 described species. Members are saproxylic beetles associated with decaying wood. At least one species, Ceruchus chrysomelinus, is an endangered relict of natural Central European montane forests.
Cerylon
Cerylon is a genus of minute bark beetles in the family Cerylonidae, established by Latreille in 1802. The genus comprises approximately 11 described species distributed across Europe and North America. These beetles are small, inconspicuous inhabitants of forest ecosystems where they occupy specialized microhabitats on and beneath bark.
Cetoniinae
Fruit and Flower Chafers, Flower Chafers, Flower Scarabs, Flower Beetles
Cetoniinae is a diverse subfamily of scarab beetles comprising approximately 4,000 species, many still undescribed. Adults are commonly known as fruit and flower chafers due to their frequent association with flowers for pollen and nectar, and their consumption of fruit. Many species exhibit bright coloration and distinctive patterns. The subfamily is characterized by a unique flight mechanism in which the elytra remain closed during flight while the membranous hind wings deploy through a specialized hinge, producing a bee-like flight appearance. Members occupy varied habitats including forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and urban parks across tropical and temperate regions worldwide.
Chalcosyrphus
Leafwalkers
Chalcosyrphus is a genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) in the subfamily Eristalinae, commonly known as leafwalkers. Species are notable for mimicking sawflies and other hymenopterans, often displaying bright or metallic coloration. Adults are structurally and behaviorally similar to the related genus Xylota but differ in larval morphology. The genus occurs across Europe, Asia, and North America, with larvae being saproxylic feeders in rotten wood.
Chalcosyrphus piger
Short-haired Leafwalker
Chalcosyrphus piger is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) found across North America and Europe. Adults are commonly known as flower flies and are frequently observed around flowers where they obtain nectar and pollen. The species is considered uncommon and is distinguished from congeners by its characteristic red abdominal markings. Larvae develop in decaying wood, specifically in sappy hollows of Larix and Pinus trees.
Chalcosyrphus vecors
Orange-hipped Leafwalker
Chalcosyrphus vecors, commonly known as the Orange-hipped Leafwalker, is a species of syrphid fly (family Syrphidae) found throughout North America. It belongs to the subgenus Xylotomima and was originally described by Osten Sacken in 1875. Like other members of its genus, this species is associated with dead and decaying wood, where its larvae develop as saprophages.
Charaphloeus convexulus
lined flat bark beetle
Charaphloeus convexulus is a species of lined flat bark beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, a group of small beetles adapted for living under bark. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario). As with other members of Laemophloeidae, it is presumed to inhabit dead or dying wood where it likely feeds on fungal hyphae or other microorganisms, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Charaphloeus flavosignatus
lined flat bark beetle
Charaphloeus flavosignatus is a species of lined flat bark beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, a group characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies adapted for living under bark. The species was described by Schäffer in 1910. It is known from North America. Like other members of its family, it likely inhabits dead or dying wood where it feeds on fungal hyphae.
Chrysobothris cribraria
Sifting Metallic Wood-borer
Chrysobothris cribraria is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1837. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario) and the United States. The species has been collected from dead Pinus echinata (shortleaf pine) saplings in Oklahoma and from fallen dead branches of Pinus clausa (sand pine) in Florida, indicating an association with dead or dying coniferous wood.
Cibdelis
Cibdelis is a genus of darkling beetles in the subfamily Stenochiinae, distributed in the Nearctic region. The genus includes at least one well-documented species, Cibdelis blaschkei, which inhabits forested regions of California. Larvae and pupae develop in soft, rotten, dry wood of dead branches on living trees or recently fallen sections. Both life stages possess antipredator defense structures, including urogomphi (pinching organs) on the terminal abdominal segments.
Cibdelis blaschkei
Cibdelis blaschkei is a North American darkling beetle in the subfamily Stenochiinae. The immature stages were first described in 2014, revealing distinctive defensive structures and saproxylic ecology. The species inhabits forested regions of California, where larvae develop in soft rotten dry wood of dead branches. Both larvae and pupae possess urogomphi—abdominal armature that can be raised and curved forward as antipredator defenses. The complete life cycle has been documented through rearing adults from pupae with associated larval exuvia.
Ciini
Ciini is a tribe of minute beetles within the family Ciidae, commonly known as minute tree-fungus beetles. The tribe contains at least 30 genera and was established by Leach in 1819. Members are small, mycophagous beetles associated with fungal growth on wood.
Cis
tree-fungus beetles
Cis is a genus of tree-fungus beetles in the family Ciidae, first described by Latreille in 1797. The genus contains at least 150 described species, all of which are associated with fungal habitats. These small beetles are specialized inhabitants of wood-decaying fungi and are found across multiple continents including Europe and North America.
Cis fuscipes
minute tree-fungus beetle, Darkfooted Cis Beetle
Cis fuscipes is a species of minute tree-fungus beetle in the family Ciidae. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning Australia, the Caribbean, North America, Oceania, and Europe. The species is associated with fungal habitats, typical of ciid beetles that inhabit wood-decaying fungi.
Cis striatulus
Groovy Cis Beetle
Cis striatulus is a small beetle in the family Ciidae, commonly known as the Groovy Cis Beetle. It belongs to a group of insects commonly called minute tree-fungus beetles, which are associated with decaying wood and fungal growth. The species was described by Mellié in 1848.
Cis subfuscus
Cis subfuscus is a minute tree-fungus beetle in the family Ciidae, first described by Gorham in 1886. It belongs to a group of small beetles specialized for life in fungal fruiting bodies, particularly polypore bracket fungi on dead and decaying wood. The species has been documented in Central America and North America.
Cleonymus magnificus
Cleonymus magnificus is a species of chalcidoid wasp in the family Cleonymidae, described by Ashmead in 1888. It belongs to a group of parasitoid wasps that attack wood-boring beetle larvae. The species has been recorded from Canada (Quebec) and the United States, though detailed biological information remains limited in available literature.
Clinidium rosenbergi
Clinidium rosenbergi is a small ground beetle in the family Rhysodidae, described by R.T. Bell in 1970. It is endemic to the United States with a disjunct distribution spanning the eastern United States east of the Appalachian Mountains, extending to the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, with isolated populations west of the Mississippi River in Missouri. The species measures 6.2–7.8 mm in length. Like other rhysodines, it is associated with decaying wood habitats.
Clinidium valentinei
Clinidium valentinei is a small ground beetle in the family Rhysodidae, described by R.T. Bell in 1970. It is endemic to the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States, ranging from northern Alabama to southwestern Pennsylvania. The species measures 5.4–6.4 mm in length. Like other rhysodines, it is adapted to life under bark and in decaying wood.
Clusiodes ater
Clusiodes ater is a species of fly in the family Clusiidae, a group commonly known as druid flies or clusiid flies. The species was described by Melander and Argo in 1924. Clusiidae are small to medium-sized flies typically associated with forest habitats, where larvae develop in decaying wood and adults are often found on tree trunks and foliage.
Clypastraea lugubris
minute hooded beetle
Clypastraea lugubris is a species of minute hooded beetle in the family Corylophidae. It is one of the smallest beetles in North America, measuring approximately 2 millimeters in length. The species is found across much of North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba) and the United States. It belongs to a family commonly known as minute hooded beetles or minute fungus beetles, characterized by a distinctive shelf-like projection of the pronotum that conceals the head.
Clypastraea ornata
minute hooded beetle, minute fungus beetle
Clypastraea ornata is a minute beetle in the family Corylophidae, commonly known as minute hooded beetles or minute fungus beetles. Adults measure approximately 2 millimeters in length. The genus Clypastraea is characterized by a pronotum with a shelf-like projection that conceals the head. This species is found in association with fungi and mold in rotting wood and under bark on dead trees. It is one of 61 species in ten genera of Corylophidae recorded north of Mexico.
Clytus planifrons
Clytus planifrons is a long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. The species occurs along the Pacific coast of North America, with records from California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. As a member of the Clytini tribe, it belongs to a group of beetles often characterized by wasp-mimicking coloration and patterns.
Coenomyia
stink fly
Coenomyia is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae, commonly known as "stink flies." The genus contains at least four described species, including the widespread Coenomyia ferruginea. These flies are characterized by their large size, brown coloration, and slow, clumsy movements. The family name Xylophagidae derives from Greek roots meaning "wood-eating," reflecting the larval habitat in dead and decaying wood where they prey on wood-boring beetle larvae.
Colon forceps
Colon forceps is a species of round fungus beetle described by Hatch in 1957. As a member of the genus Colon, it belongs to a group of small beetles associated with fungal habitats. The species is known from multiple provinces and states across Canada and the United States.
Conquistator mucronatus
Conquistator mucronatus is a longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, tribe Clytini, historically classified under the genus Neoclytus. The species is characterized by its association with dead and dying hardwood trees, particularly hackberry (Celtis spp.), and is frequently attracted to fermenting baits. It has been documented across the central and eastern United States, with records from Missouri, Oklahoma, and other states. The species exhibits morphological variation, with some populations formerly recognized as a distinct form "vogti."
Coproporus ventriculus
Coproporus ventriculus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Tachyporinae. It belongs to a genus associated with decaying organic matter and fungal habitats. The species has a broad North American distribution spanning much of Canada and the United States. Like other members of Tachyporinae, it is likely associated with rotting substrates where it feeds on fungal spores and hyphae, though specific ecological studies on this species are limited.
Corticariinae
Corticariinae is a subfamily of minute beetles in the family Latridiidae, comprising small (1-3 mm), cryptically colored species with elongated oval bodies and 3-3-3 tarsal formula. The subfamily includes at least 11 genera, with species distributed across the Andean region and other global localities, ranging from lowland tropical forests to high-elevation páramos (up to 4300 m). Members are mycetophagous, feeding on fungal spores and conidia, and occupy diverse microhabitats including decaying vegetation, stored food products, and very humid cloud forest environments.
Criorhina
Bumble Flies
Criorhina is a genus of medium to large hoverflies (Syrphidae) that exhibit Batesian mimicry of bumblebees. The genus is characterized by a flattened, broad head and distinctive antennal placement on a prominent conical frontal process. Larvae develop in rot holes and decaying hardwoods. Several species show pronounced geographical variation in abdominal colour patterns, with morphological differences correlated with the distribution of their hymenopteran models.
Criorhina nigriventris
bare-cheeked bumble fly
Criorhina nigriventris is an uncommon species of syrphid fly known as the bare-cheeked bumble fly. Adults are flower visitors that feed on nectar and pollen. The species exhibits bumble bee mimicry, a common defensive adaptation in the genus Criorhina. Larval development occurs in decaying wood. The species has been documented across northern North America with scattered records in the Appalachian region.
Criorhinina
Criorhinina is a subtribe of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) within the tribe Milesiini and subfamily Eristalinae. Members are characterized by their association with decaying wood and sap flows, where larvae develop. The subtribe includes genera such as *Criorhina* and *Sphecomyia*, which are often large-bodied and mimic bumble bees or wasps. Adults are primarily found in forested habitats.
Cryptarchinae
Cryptarchinae is a subfamily of sap-feeding beetles within the family Nitidulidae. The subfamily contains at least 3 genera—Cryptarcha, Glischrochilus, and Pityophagus—and approximately 17 described species. Members are associated with subcortical habitats and sap flows on trees, particularly conifers. The genus Glischrochilus has been the subject of recent taxonomic revision revealing cryptic species diversity in northern Europe.
Cucujidae
flat bark beetles
The Cucujidae are a family of beetles characterized by strongly flattened bodies adapted for living under bark. The family contains approximately 70 species in five genera, distributed worldwide except Africa and Antarctica. Members are primarily found in subcortical habitats on dead trees, where both larvae and adults are predatory. Some species exhibit remarkable physiological adaptations, including extreme freezing tolerance in arctic populations.
Cucujus
flat bark beetles
Cucujus is a genus of flat bark beetles in the family Cucujidae, containing approximately 25 recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region. Species are dorso-ventrally compressed, brightly colored in red or red-and-black patterns, and range from 6–25 mm in length. The genus is most diverse in Asia, with indigenous species in North America, Europe, and Asia. Several species, notably C. cinnaberinus and C. clavipes, have been subjects of ecological and physiological research due to their conservation status and extreme cold tolerance adaptations.
Cucujus clavipes
Red Flat Bark Beetle, Flat Bark Beetle
Cucujus clavipes, the red flat bark beetle, is a saproxylic beetle distributed across North America with two recognized subspecies: C. c. clavipes in the east and C. c. puniceus in the west. The species is notable for extreme cold tolerance, particularly in the western subspecies whose larvae can survive temperatures down to -100°C through deep supercooling and vitrification. Adults are active primarily in spring and summer and are found under bark of dead hardwood trees.
Dendrobiella sericans
Four-toothed Texas Bostrichid
Dendrobiella sericans is a species of horned powder-post beetle in the family Bostrichidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species belongs to a group of wood-boring beetles commonly known as false powderpost beetles, which are characterized by their association with dead or dying wood.
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.
Dendrophilinae
clown beetles
Dendrophilinae is a subfamily of clown beetles (family Histeridae) established by Reitter in 1909. It comprises more than 30 genera and approximately 490 described species. Members of this subfamily share the compact, convex body form characteristic of Histeridae but are distinguished by specific morphological traits and ecological associations.
Dendrophilus punctatus
clown beetle
Dendrophilus punctatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: Dendrophilus punctatus punctatus and Dendrophilus punctatus championi. Like other histerid beetles, it is likely associated with decomposing organic matter and forested habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Diadocidiidae
A small family of fungus gnats (Diptera) containing two genera: the extant Diadocidia with over 20 species and the extinct †Docidiadia from Burmese amber. Adults are minute woodland flies measuring 2.5–5.6 mm. The family was historically treated as a subfamily of Mycetophilidae but is now recognized as distinct and closely related to Keroplatidae, Bolitophilidae, and Ditomyiidae.
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.
Dinaraea aequata
Dinaraea aequata is a small rove beetle (2.5–3.7 mm) in the subfamily Aleocharinae, native to Europe and parts of Asia. It is saproxylic, inhabiting subcortical galleries of decaying wood and fungal fruiting bodies. The species was among the first in its genus to have its larval morphology and life history described in detail, including all three instars, prepupa, and pupal cocoon.
Disteniinae
disteniid longhorn beetles
Disteniinae is a subfamily of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising approximately 400 described species, primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Adults are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies, long filiform antennae that often exceed body length, and frequently metallic coloration. The group has undergone significant taxonomic revision, having been treated historically as a tribe within Lepturinae or Cerambycinae, as a separate subfamily, and even as a distinct family (Disteniidae) before current consensus places it as a subfamily within Cerambycidae. The North American fauna is depauperate, with Elytrimitatrix undata being the sole representative in the United States.
Dolichomitus
ichneumon wasps
Dolichomitus is a genus of ichneumonid wasps containing at least 70 described species. The genus name derives from Greek roots meaning 'long thread,' referring to the elongated ovipositor characteristic of these parasitoids. Species in this genus are parasitoids of wood-boring insect larvae, using their long ovipositors to reach hosts deep within tree trunks and branches. Some species exhibit striking aposematic coloration, including metallic blue and yellow patterns that may deter avian predators.
Dorcatomini
Dorcatomini is a tribe of beetles within the family Ptinidae (spider beetles and relatives). The tribe comprises at least 11 genera and approximately 50 described species. Members of this group are small to minute beetles associated with dead wood, fungal fruiting bodies, and other decaying organic matter. The tribe is distributed across multiple continents with greatest diversity in temperate and subtropical regions.
Dromaeolini
Dromaeolini is a tribe of false click beetles (family Eucnemidae) established by Beaulieu in 1919. The tribe is currently treated as a synonym within the subfamily Macraulacinae. Eucnemidae are characterized by their inability to perform the clicking jump mechanism found in true click beetles (Elateridae), despite superficial similarities in body form. Members of this group are typically small to medium-sized beetles associated with decaying wood.
Dromaeolus cylindricollis
Dromaeolus cylindricollis is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1839. It is one of the few species in the genus Dromaeolus, which comprises small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their inability to produce the clicking sound typical of their close relatives in Elateridae. The genus name refers to this reduced clicking ability (from Greek 'dromaios' meaning running or racing, perhaps alluding to their active movement rather than defensive clicking).
Dromaeolus punctatus
Dromaeolus punctatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. Members of this genus are typically associated with forest habitats and are often found under bark or in decaying wood. The genus Dromaeolus is characterized by its elongate body form and distinctive antennal structure.
Dryadaula
Dryadaula is a genus of small moths in the family Dryadaulidae (formerly placed in Tineidae), established by Edward Meyrick in 1893. The genus comprises approximately 60 described species distributed across the Palaearctic region, with additional records from Hawaii and other regions. Species are characterized by small size (wingspans typically 7-15 mm), inconspicuous coloration, and concealed lifestyles associated with dead wood and fungal habitats. Several species have been described in recent decades, including four new species from China in 2021 and one from Japan in 2024, indicating ongoing taxonomic discovery.
Dryocoetes
Dryocoetes is a genus of bark beetles (subfamily Scolytinae) in the weevil family Curculionidae. Species are distributed across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The genus includes both conifer- and hardwood-associated species, with documented hosts including fir, spruce, pine, alder, birch, beech, poplar, liquidambar, and walnut. Several species are economically significant forest pests or invasive species.
Dryotribini
Dryotribini is a tribe of weevils within the subfamily Cossoninae of the family Curculionidae. The tribe contains approximately 60 described genera distributed across multiple continents. Members of this tribe are generally small, cryptic weevils associated with dead or decaying plant material. The group has been documented in both temperate and tropical regions, with notable diversity in the Pacific islands and New Zealand.
Dynastes tityus
Eastern Hercules beetle, elephant beetle, ox beetle
Dynastes tityus, the eastern Hercules beetle, is among the largest and heaviest beetles in the United States. Males possess prominent thoracic and cephalic horns used in combat with rival males for access to mates. The species exhibits remarkable humidity-dependent color change in its elytra, shifting from green-gray-tan to deep brown when moisture is absorbed. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. The complete life cycle may extend up to three years in the wild, with larvae developing in decaying wood within tree cavities.
Elater
click beetles, elaters
Elater is a genus of click beetles in the family Elateridae, characterized by a distinctive prosternal spine and mesosternal notch mechanism that produces an audible click when flexed. The genus includes species that are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, with larvae that are predatory on other insects in decaying wood. Some species are attracted to fermenting substances and are captured in ethanol-baited traps.
Elephantomyia
Elephantomyia is a genus of crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) characterized by an exceptionally elongated rostrum used for nectar feeding. The genus has a broad Palearctic distribution spanning Europe, Russia, East Asia, and fossil records from Baltic amber. Larvae are saproxylic, developing in moist decaying wood of hardwoods and conifers. Multiple subgenera have been described, including Elephantomyia, Elephantomyina, Elephantomyodes, and Xenoelephantomyia.
Emmesa blackmani
Blackman's False Darkling Beetle
Emmesa blackmani is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, described by Hatch in 1927. It is known from a small number of observations in eastern Canada, primarily Québec. The species belongs to a genus of beetles associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats in forest ecosystems.
Emmesa labiata
Lipped False Darkling Beetle
Emmesa labiata is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae. It is found in eastern North America, with records from New Brunswick to Ontario and Québec. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1824. Common name is the Lipped False Darkling Beetle.
Enaphalodes taeniatus
Enaphalodes taeniatus is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a diverse group of cerambycids commonly known as elaphidiines. The species is known from North America and has been documented in the United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is a wood-boring beetle whose larvae develop in dead or dying hardwood trees.
Entomophthalmus rufiolus
Entomophthalmus rufiolus is a species of false click beetle (family Eucnemidae) in the tribe Dirhagini. The mature larva has been described from the Nearctic region. Larvae develop in decaying hardwood logs, where they function as decomposers. The species is known from eastern Canada.
Epierus regularis
clown beetle
Epierus regularis is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Palisot de Beauvois in 1818. It is native to North America, with records from eastern Canada and across the eastern and central United States. As a member of the Histeridae, it belongs to a family commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles, which are typically associated with decaying organic matter and are often found in carrion, dung, and under bark.
Erotinae
Erotinae is a subfamily of net-winged beetles within the family Lycidae, established by J.L. LeConte in 1881. The subfamily contains approximately 10 genera and 19 described species, including genera such as *Eros*, *Erotides*, *Eropterus*, and *Platycis*. Members of this subfamily share the characteristic reticulate wing venation typical of Lycidae but are distinguished from the larger subfamily Lycinae by specific morphological features. The group is primarily distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, with representatives in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Etorofus anthracinus
A species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1875. Adults are found in North America and have been observed seeking dead parts of living trees for development. The species belongs to the subfamily Lepturinae, a group commonly known as flower longhorns.
Eucicones marginalis
Eucicones marginalis is a species of cylindrical bark beetle in the family Zopheridae, described by Melsheimer in 1846. The genus Eucicones belongs to the subfamily Colydiinae, a group commonly known as cylindrical bark beetles due to their elongated, parallel-sided body form. Members of this family are primarily associated with dead and decaying wood, where they feed on fungi or are predatory on other wood-inhabiting insects. The species is documented from North America, with records from Ontario, Canada.
Eucnemidae
False Click Beetles
Eucnemidae, commonly known as false click beetles, is a family of elateroid beetles comprising approximately 1,700 species distributed worldwide. The family is closely related to Elateridae (true click beetles) and shares the ability to produce an audible clicking sound through a prosternal-mesosternal mechanism, though this trait is less pronounced than in true click beetles. Larvae are saproxylic, developing in decaying wood where they feed on fungal fluids using specialized digestive adaptations. Adults are typically short-lived and frequently observed on broken wood surfaces.
Eucnemis
Eucnemis is a genus of click beetle allies in the family Eucnemidae, established by August Ahrens in 1812. The genus is predominantly Palaearctic in distribution, with at least four described species. Eucnemis capucina, the type species, is a rare cavity-dwelling beetle associated with old hollow trees in deciduous forests. The genus is notable for its saproxylic lifestyle and conservation significance in European forests.
Euryptychus ulkei
Euryptychus ulkei is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae. Very little published information exists about this species. The genus Euryptychus comprises small to medium-sized eucnemids, and species in this family are typically associated with dead or decaying wood where larvae develop as saproxylic feeders. Adults are generally collected by beating vegetation or attracted to light.
Euspilotus azurescens
clown beetle
Euspilotus azurescens is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Marseul in 1855. The species exhibits a broad Neotropical distribution spanning from the southern United States through Central America to southern South America. It belongs to a genus characterized by small, often metallic beetles associated with decomposing organic matter.
Eustrophinae
Eustrophinae is a subfamily of beetles within the family Tetratomidae, established by Gistel in 1848. These beetles are part of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea and are characterized by their association with fungal habitats. The subfamily includes genera such as Eustrophus and Pseudoholostrophus. Members are small to medium-sized beetles with relatively uniform morphology across the group.
Eustrophopsis
Eustrophopsis is a genus of polypore fungus beetles in the family Tetratomidae, containing approximately seven described species. These beetles are associated with fungal habitats, specifically polypore fungi growing on decaying wood. The genus was established by Champion in 1889 and represents one of several lineages within the Eustrophinae subfamily adapted to fungivory.
Exosternini
clown beetles
Exosternini is a tribe of clown beetles (family Histeridae) containing at least 60 genera and approximately 800 described species. Members are predominantly small, predatory beetles with diverse body forms ranging from compact and rounded to bizarrely flattened. The tribe includes notable genera such as Baconia, known for brilliant metallic coloration, and Operclipygus, characterized by clamshell-like pygidia. Many species remain poorly known due to extreme rarity and tropical distribution.
Fornax knulli
Fornax knulli is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae. The genus Fornax belongs to a group of beetles commonly known as false click beetles, which resemble true click beetles (Elateridae) but lack the prosternal process that enables the characteristic clicking mechanism. Species in this family are typically associated with decaying wood and forest habitats. The specific epithet "knulli" honors American coleopterist Joseph N. Knull (1879-1964), who described numerous North American beetle species.
Fornax melsheimeri
Fornax melsheimeri is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae. Members of this family are characterized by their inability to produce the clicking sound that defines true click beetles (Elateridae), despite similar body plans. The genus Fornax contains multiple North American species, though detailed species-level documentation remains limited. This species was named in honor of the early American entomologist Frederick Ernst Melsheimer.
Glyptotus
Glyptotus is a genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae: Stenochiinae) containing at least two described species, including G. cribratus. The genus is characterized by saproxylic larvae and adults that inhabit soft rotten dry wood of dead branches on living trees or recently fallen sections. Larvae possess distinctive urogomphi (pinching organs) used in antipredator defense. The genus is distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with confirmed records from the southeastern United States.
Grammoptera
flower longhorn beetles
Grammoptera is a genus of flower longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing approximately 30 described species distributed primarily across the Northern Hemisphere. These beetles are associated with coniferous and deciduous woodlands, where adults are often found on flowers or freshly cut timber. The genus is characterized by relatively small body size and slender proportions compared to many other longhorn beetles. Species identification typically requires examination of antennal structure, elytral coloration patterns, and body proportions.
Graphisurus triangulifer
Graphisurus triangulifer is a species of longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, described by Haldeman in 1847. It is one of three Graphisurus species occurring in Missouri and is distinguished by dark triangular markings on the elytra. The species exhibits a southern, lowland distribution pattern in eastern North America and is strongly associated with Celtis (hackberry/sugarberry) as its primary larval host.
Grylloblatta campodeiformis
Northern Rock Crawler
Grylloblatta campodeiformis, the northern rock crawler, is a wingless, cold-adapted insect endemic to western North America. It was the first grylloblatid species described scientifically (Walker, 1914) and serves as the type species for both its genus and family. The species occupies a broader range of habitats than previously assumed, from high-altitude glacial margins to subalpine forests and even low-elevation dry zones. Four subspecies are currently recognized, distributed across the Canadian Rockies and adjacent mountain ranges in British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, and Washington.
Grylloblattodea
ice crawlers, rock crawlers
Grylloblattodea is a small order of extremophile insects commonly known as ice crawlers or rock crawlers. These wingless insects are adapted to cold environments and are found in montane habitats, caves, and subalpine forests across western North America and northeastern Asia. The order comprises approximately 25-30 described species in five extant genera, though significant undescribed diversity is suspected. Grylloblattids are predatory, feeding on other arthropods, and show remarkable cold tolerance. They are considered a relict lineage with ancient origins, closely related to Mantophasmatodea within the clade Xenonomia (order Notoptera).
Hadrobregmus
Hadrobregmus is a genus of small wood-boring beetles in the family Ptinidae (formerly placed in Anobiidae). Species in this genus are associated with dead and decaying wood. The genus was established by C.G. Thomson in 1859 and includes approximately ten described species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere.
Hallomenus
polypore fungus beetles
Hallomenus is a genus of small beetles in the family Tetratomidae, commonly referred to as polypore fungus beetles. The genus was established by Panzer in 1793 and contains approximately nine described species. Members of this genus are associated with fungi, particularly polypore bracket fungi, which serve as their primary habitat and food source. The genus is distributed across northern regions of Europe and North America.
Hammerschmidtia
Hammerschmidtia is a Holarctic genus of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in the tribe Brachyopini. Larvae develop in sap under the bark of freshly fallen trees, particularly decaying aspen (Populus tremula). The genus includes five described species, with H. ferruginea being endangered in parts of its range due to habitat loss.
Helops rugulosus
Helops rugulosus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The genus Helops belongs to the tribe Helopini within the subfamily Tenebrioninae. Species in this genus are typically associated with decaying wood and forest floor habitats. Like other darkling beetles, they are characterized by concealed mandibles and bead-like antennae segments.
Helops sulcipennis
Helops sulcipennis is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. As a member of the tribe Helopini, this beetle belongs to a group of elongate, moderately sized tenebrionids that are primarily found in North America. The specific epithet 'sulcipennis' refers to grooved or furrowed elytra, a characteristic feature of this species. Like other Helopini, this beetle is likely associated with decaying wood and forest floor habitats.
Histeridae
clown beetles, hister beetles
Histeridae is a cosmopolitan family of predatory beetles containing more than 410 genera and 4,800 described species worldwide. Members are commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles. They are immediately recognizable by their shortened elytra that leave two abdominal tergites exposed, and their elbowed antennae with clubbed, lamellate ends. The family exhibits remarkable ecological diversity, with species occupying niches ranging from carrion and dung to ant and termite colonies, forest litter, and tree bark. Their predatory habits on fly larvae and other arthropods have made them valuable for biological control and forensic entomology.
Hololepta minuta
clown beetle
Hololepta minuta is a species of clown beetle (family Histeridae) first described by Erichson in 1834. It belongs to the genus Hololepta, a group characterized by their flattened, compact bodies adapted for living in tight spaces. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Central America and into South America, including Caribbean islands.
Hololepta quadridentata
clown beetle
Hololepta quadridentata is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, characterized by its flattened body form typical of the genus. It is widely distributed across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. The species has also been introduced to Spain. Like other members of Histeridae, it is associated with decaying organic matter.
Hoshihananomia inflammata
tumbling flower beetle
A species of tumbling flower beetle in the family Mordellidae, found in North America. Larvae and pupae develop in rotting oak wood.
Hyperplatys aspersa
Hyperplatys aspersa is a small greyish longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is one of two Hyperplatys species occurring in Eastern Canada, alongside H. maculata. The species has a history of taxonomic confusion, having been frequently misidentified by early authors.
Isarthrus
Isarthrus is a genus of beetles in the family Eucnemidae (false click beetles), established by LeConte in 1852. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their association with decaying wood. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with only eight observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the data cutoff. Isarthrus belongs to a family whose larvae are primarily wood-borers in dead or dying hardwoods.
Lamiinae
Flat-faced Longhorn Beetles, Flat-faced Longhorns
Lamiinae is a subfamily of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) distinguished by their orthognathous head orientation, where the face is vertical and mouthparts directed downward—hence the common name 'flat-faced longhorns.' The subfamily is extraordinarily diverse, containing over 750 genera and rivaled only by Cerambycinae in species richness within the family. Members are primarily wood-boring beetles, with larvae developing in living or dead plant tissues across a wide range of host plants.
Lasconotus vegrandis
Lasconotus vegrandis is a species of cylindrical bark beetle in the family Zopheridae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1885. It belongs to a genus characterized by compact, cylindrical body forms adapted for life under bark. The species has been documented in western North America, with records from British Columbia. Like other members of its family, it is presumed to inhabit dead or decaying wood, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lathropus rhabdophloeoides
Lathropus rhabdophloeoides is a species of small, flattened beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, commonly known as lined flat bark beetles. Species in this genus are associated with dead or decaying wood and bark, where they inhabit the concealed spaces beneath bark surfaces. The specific epithet 'rhabdophloeoides' suggests a resemblance to the genus Rhabdophloeus, a related laemophloeid genus. Like other members of Laemophloeidae, this species is likely cryptic in habit and difficult to detect without specialized collecting methods.
Latridiidae
minute brown scavenger beetles, fungus beetles
Latridiidae is a cosmopolitan family of minute beetles containing approximately 1,050 described species in 29 genera, though true diversity is likely much higher. Adults range from 1.2 to 2 mm in length and are uniformly brown to black in coloration. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Latridiinae (glabrous, heavily sculptured dorsal surface, smooth pronotal margin) and Corticariinae (finely pubescent, lightly sculptured, serrate pronotal margin). Both adults and larvae are obligate mycetophages, feeding exclusively on fungal hyphae and spores.
Lecontia
conifer bark beetles
Lecontia is a genus of conifer bark beetles in the family Boridae, containing a single species, Lecontia discicollis. These beetles are found in Central America and North America, where they inhabit the bark of dead conifers. The genus is notable for its specialized association with fire-killed or stressed conifer trees, particularly in the years following forest fires.
Leiodes puncticollis
Leiodes puncticollis is a small round fungus beetle in the family Leiodidae. The species was originally described by Thomson in 1862 under the basionym Anisotoma puncticollis. It has a broad Holarctic distribution spanning Europe, northern Asia, and North America. As a member of the Leiodidae, it is associated with fungal habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Lejota cyanea
Cobalt Trunksitter
Lejota cyanea, commonly known as the cobalt trunksitter, is an uncommon syrphid fly found in northeastern and western North America. Adults are flower-visiting hoverflies that feed on nectar and pollen. The larvae develop in decaying tree roots, a trait characteristic of the genus Lejota.
Lepturini
flower longhorns
Lepturini is a tribe of flower longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Lepturinae) characterized by adults that frequently visit flowers for pollen feeding. The tribe contains numerous genera distributed across forested and semi-open habitats in the Northern Hemisphere, with some representatives in South America. Larvae develop primarily in woody plants, where they contribute to dead wood decomposition. Adult activity is strongly seasonal and diurnal, with peak flight periods typically occurring in late spring to early summer.
Lestremiinae
Lestremiine Wood Midges
Lestremiinae is a subfamily of gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) comprising 105 described species across 13 genera. The subfamily is distinguished by larval specialization on fungal substrates. Unlike many Cecidomyiidae that form plant galls, Lestremiinae larvae are primarily fungivorous, inhabiting decaying wood where they consume fungal growth. The group has received substantial taxonomic attention in northern Europe, with ongoing discoveries of new species.
Lichenophanes
horned powder-post beetles
Lichenophanes is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae, established by Lesne in 1899. The genus contains more than 40 described species distributed across the Palaearctic, Oriental, and Nearctic regions. Species are nocturnal wood-borers that develop in dead hardwood trees during initial stages of fungal decomposition. Adults are attracted to artificial light and possess cryptic coloration that camouflages them in bark cracks during daylight hours.
Litargus connexus
Litargus connexus is a small beetle in the family Mycetophagidae, commonly known as hairy fungus beetles. The species has a broad distribution across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Both adults and larvae are strongly associated with fungal decomposition of wood, with larvae specializing on particular pyrenomycete fungi.
Lophocateridae
Lophocateridae is a small family of cleroid beetles comprising over 100 species in 14+ genera. Formerly treated as a subfamily or tribe of Trogossitidae, molecular phylogenetic analyses led to its elevation to family rank in 2019. The family is recovered as sister to Chaetosomatidae and Trogossitidae sensu stricto. Extant species occupy diverse ecological niches including fungivory, herbivory, and predation, primarily in association with dead wood habitats. The family has a fossil record extending to the Early Cretaceous.
Magdalis aenescens
Magdalis cf-aenescens is a small weevil in the tribe Magdalini, recognized by its metallic bronze or coppery coloration. The genus Magdalis comprises bark- and wood-associated weevils with elongated snouts and compact bodies. This species is part of a taxonomically challenging complex where identification often requires examination of genitalia or host associations. Records indicate association with woody plants, though specific host relationships for this species remain incompletely documented.
Malandryinae
Malandryinae is a subfamily of false darkling beetles within the family Malandryidae. Members are primarily associated with decaying wood and forest habitats. The subfamily contains numerous genera distributed across the Holarctic region, with greatest diversity in temperate forests. Adults and larvae are generally saproxylic, contributing to wood decomposition processes.
Medetera apicalis
Medetera apicalis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It occurs in Europe and North America, with distribution records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The species is associated with old-growth forest habitats, where adults have been observed beneath bark and on fruiting bodies of wood-decaying fungi such as Fomitopsis pinicola. As a member of the genus Medetera, it shares the characteristic behavior of perching on tree trunks in a distinctive tiptoe posture.
Megapenthes megalops
Megapenthes megalops is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, tribe Megapenthini. The genus Megapenthes is characterized by enlarged eyes, a trait reflected in the species epithet 'megalops' (large-eyed). Members of this genus are typically associated with forested habitats and are active as adults during warmer months. The larvae develop in decaying wood and are predatory on other saproxylic invertebrates.
Megasoma vogti
Texas elephant beetle, Texas megasoma
Megasoma vogti is a large rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the Texas elephant beetle. It belongs to a genus renowned for containing some of the heaviest-bodied beetles in the world. The species is native to southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, where adults are attracted to lights at night. Like other members of the genus, males possess prominent horns used in combat with rival males.
Melalgus
horned powder-post beetles
Melalgus is a genus of beetles in the family Bostrichidae, commonly referred to as horned powder-post beetles. The genus was established by Dejean in 1833 and contains more than 20 described species. Members of this genus are wood-boring beetles that contribute to the degradation of dead wood in forest ecosystems. The common name "horned" refers to a distinctive cephalic projection present in many species.
Melandrya striata
Striated False Darkling Beetle
Melandrya striata is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is distributed across much of Canada, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The species is part of a family of beetles commonly associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. As a member of the genus Melandrya, it shares the general ecology of this group, which is adapted to moist, decomposing substrates in forested environments.
Melandryidae
False Darkling Beetles
Melandryidae, or false darkling beetles, is a family of beetles in the superfamily Tenebrionoidea containing approximately 420 species in 60 genera. Members are found worldwide and are primarily associated with rotting wood and wood-decomposing fungi in both larval and adult stages. The family has a fossil record extending back to at least the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) with specimens in Burmese amber, and the tribe Hypulini is documented from late Eocene Baltic amber. Many species are saproxylic, inhabiting dead and decaying wood in forest ecosystems.
Melasini
Melasini is a tribe of false click beetles within the family Eucnemidae, established by Fleming in 1821. Members of this tribe are classified under the subfamily Melasinae, a group characterized by their inability to produce the clicking sound typical of true click beetles (Elateridae). The tribe encompasses multiple genera of small to medium-sized beetles found primarily in forested habitats.
Mezira froeschneri
Mezira froeschneri is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, described in 1996 from North American specimens. Like other aradids, it has a highly flattened body adapted for living in tight spaces under bark. The species is known from only a handful of observations, reflecting the cryptic habits and difficulty of sampling this group.
Mezira vanduzeei
Mezira vanduzeei is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, described by Usinger in 1936. The species belongs to a family of true bugs known for their extremely flattened bodies, an adaptation for living in narrow spaces under bark and in decaying wood. Like other aradids, this species likely feeds on fungal hyphae in its concealed microhabitats. Records indicate presence in North America, though detailed biological information remains sparse.
Microscapha
Microscapha is a genus of small beetles in the family Melandryidae, commonly known as false darkling beetles. These beetles are characterized by their compact body form and association with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The genus is relatively obscure with few documented observations, reflecting either genuine rarity or under-sampling of their specialized microhabitats. Microscapha species are part of the diverse stenostirate beetle fauna that inhabits forest ecosystems.
Milesiini
Xylotini
Milesiini is a large, diverse tribe of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in the subfamily Eristalinae. Adults frequently exhibit mimicry of wasps or hornets. The tribe encompasses numerous genera including Milesia, Xylota, Syritta, Chalcosyrphus, Blera, and Criorhina. Many species are saproxylic, with larvae developing in decaying wood or under bark.
Monochamus scutellatus
white-spotted sawyer, spruce sawyer, spruce bug, hair-eater
Monochamus scutellatus is a large cerambycid beetle native to North America, commonly known as the white-spotted sawyer. Adults are notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in antennae length, with male antennae reaching up to twice body length. The species colonizes stressed, dying, or recently dead conifers, showing strong preference for burned forest habitats. Larvae develop as wood-borers, creating galleries in phloem, cambium, and sapwood. Adults emerge mid-June to mid-August and feed on conifer bark and foliage before mating.
Mordellidae
tumbling flower beetles, pintail beetles
Mordellidae is a family of beetles in the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, comprising approximately 1500 species worldwide. Adults are commonly found on flowers and are known for their distinctive escape behavior involving rapid, irregular tumbling movements. The family contains two extant subfamilies (Mordellinae and Ctenidiinae) and one fossil subfamily (Praemordellinae). Larval development occurs in diverse substrates including plant stems, wood, and fungi, with some species exhibiting predaceous or inquiline habits.
Mordellochroa
Mordellochroa is a genus of tumbling flower beetles in the family Mordellidae, containing approximately eight described species distributed across Europe, North America, temperate Asia, and Australia. Species within this genus are saproxylic, with larval development occurring in dead wood. The genus includes both widespread and regionally restricted species, with some demonstrating specific habitat requirements such as preserved natural forests with large amounts of coarse woody debris.
Morionini
Morionini is a tribe of ground beetles (Carabidae) in the subfamily Pterostichinae, established by Brullé in 1837. The tribe is represented in the Western Hemisphere by at least two genera, including the Neotropical genus Moriosomus. Members of this tribe are primarily associated with forest habitats, particularly under bark and in decaying wood. The tribe's classification and generic composition have been subject to taxonomic revision, with ongoing work to clarify species boundaries and geographic distributions.
Murmidiidae
Murmidiidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Coccinelloidea, containing approximately 34 described species across four genera. The family was historically classified within Cerylonidae but has been recognized as distinct based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Members are primarily associated with decaying wood habitats and are considered mycophagous. The cosmopolitan species Murmidius ovalis has been documented as a pest of stored food products.
Mycetaulus polypori
Mycetaalus polypori is a small fly in the family Piophilidae, described by Melander in 1924. The species epithet suggests an association with polypore fungi (bracket fungi), though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented. Like other piophilids, it likely inhabits decomposing organic matter. Published biological studies on this species are scarce.
Mycetophagus fulvicollis
Mycetophagus fulvicollis is a species of hairy fungus beetle in the family Mycetophagidae, first described by Fabricius in 1792. This small beetle is associated with fungal decay in wood and is part of the diverse community of insects that colonize dead and decaying timber. The species has a broad distribution across Europe and extends into parts of Asia.
Mychocerus
minute bark beetles
Mychocerus is a genus of minute bark beetles in the family Cerylonidae, established by Erichson in 1845. The genus contains at least two described species: M. discretus (Casey, 1890) and M. striatus (Sen Gupta & Crowson, 1973). These beetles are small, inconspicuous insects associated with dead or decaying wood.
Mycteridae
Palm and Flower Beetles
Mycteridae is a small family of tenebrionoid beetles comprising approximately 30 genera and 160 species distributed worldwide. The family includes three subfamilies—Mycterinae, Hemipeplinae, and Eurypinae (= Lacconotinae)—which exhibit extreme morphological diversity that complicates family-level diagnosis of adults. Species occur across temperate and tropical regions of both hemispheres, with about 20 species in Australia and representatives of three genera (*Mycterus*, *Hemipeplus*, *Lacconotus*) in North America. The family has been recently referred to as "palm and flower beetles" by some authors.
Myolepta nigra
Black Pegleg
Myolepta nigra, commonly known as the Black Pegleg, is a syrphid fly species found in the eastern and central United States and eastern Canada. Adults are flower-visiting hoverflies that feed on nectar and pollen. The larvae develop in rot holes of deciduous trees, making this species dependent on mature forest habitats with suitable tree cavities. It is considered uncommon throughout its range.
Myoplatypus
Myoplatypus is a rare genus of pinhole borer beetles in the subfamily Platypodinae, comprising nine tropical and one temperate American species. The genus was described by Wood in 1993 and remained known only from North and Central America until the first South American records from Peru were documented. Most species are represented by very few specimens, suggesting either narrow geographic ranges or specialized ecological requirements.
Namunaria
Namunaria is a genus of cylindrical bark beetles in the family Zopheridae, established by Edmund Reitter in 1882. The genus contains at least two confirmed species in North America (N. guttulata and N. pacifica), with additional species reported from Australia, Asia, and other regions. These beetles are characterized by their cylindrical body form, an adaptation for living under bark. The genus belongs to the diverse group of bark beetles within Zopheridae, though specific biological details remain poorly documented for most species.
Nanosellini
Nanosellini is a tribe of feather-winged beetles within the family Ptiliidae, first described by Barber in 1924. Members of this tribe are among the smallest known beetles, with most species measuring less than 1 millimeter in length. They belong to the subfamily Ptiliinae, which contains approximately 80% of described feather-winged beetle genera. The tribe is characterized by extreme miniaturization and associated morphological adaptations.
Narthecius
Narthecius is a genus of small beetles in the family Laemophloeidae, established by J.L. LeConte in 1861. The genus contains nine described species distributed in North America and Europe. Species in this genus are characterized by their flattened body form, typical of the family Laemophloeidae, which are commonly known as lined flat bark beetles. These beetles are primarily associated with dead or decaying wood habitats.
Negastrius ornatus
Negastrius ornatus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, subfamily Negastriinae. The genus Negastrius comprises small to medium-sized elaterid beetles, with species typically characterized by distinctive color patterns and morphological features. As with other members of the subfamily Negastriinae, adults are generally found in association with decaying wood and forest floor habitats.
Nematodes collaris
Nematodes collaris is a species of beetle in the family Eucnemidae, commonly known as false click beetles. The genus Nematodes is part of the diverse beetle fauna, with species typically characterized by their elongated bodies and association with decaying wood. This species is known from very limited observations, with only two documented records on iNaturalist. Members of Eucnemidae are often found in forested habitats where their larvae develop in dead or decaying wood, contributing to nutrient cycling processes.
Neophyllomyza
A genus of small flies in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The Nearctic fauna comprises two species: N. quadricornis and N. gaulti. Both species are saproxylic, with larvae developing in decaying wood of hardwood trees. Adults are associated with decaying logs and show distinct temporal and ecological partitioning despite sympatric distributions.
Neoproxius
Neoproxius is a genus of flat bugs (Hemiptera: Aradidae) established by Usinger and Matsuda in 1959. The genus belongs to the family Aradidae, a group of true bugs characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies adapted for living in confined spaces such as under bark or in decaying wood. As of current records, the genus contains multiple species distributed in specific regional contexts, though detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Neoproxius schwarzii
Neoproxius schwarzii is a species of narrow-waisted bark beetle in the family Salpingidae. Members of this genus are small, elongate beetles associated with dead or decaying wood. The species was described by American entomologist Ernst A. Schwarz, after whom it is named. Like other salpingids, it likely inhabits forested environments where it contributes to decomposition processes.
Neuroctenus elongatus
flat bug
Neuroctenus elongatus is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, first described by Osborn in 1903. The species is characterized by its elongated body form, which distinguishes it from other members of the genus. It is distributed across North America. Flat bugs in this family are typically associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Nicagus obscurus
Nicagus obscurus is a small stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. Adults are found under bark of dead hardwoods, particularly oak. Larvae develop in rotten wood of hardwood logs and stumps, and have been specifically recorded from grooves of aspen driftwood. Adults emerge in August. The species occurs across eastern North America from Canada to the southeastern United States.
Nudobius cephalus
Kephalos Rove-hunter Beetle
A rove beetle in the tribe Xantholinini, distributed across much of North America. The species has been recorded from 23 iNaturalist observations. Members of genus Nudobius are predatory rove beetles associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats.
Odinia
Odinia is a genus of flies in the family Odiniidae, comprising more than 20 described species. Members of this genus are associated with dead wood habitats, where they interact with xylophilous insects. Larvae are carnivorous and may exhibit parasitic behavior toward wood-inhabiting beetles and flies. The genus was established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830.
Odinia conspicua
Odinia conspicua is a small fly species in the family Odiniidae, a group of acalyptrate flies. The species was described by Curtis Sabrosky in 1959. Members of Odiniidae are associated with decaying wood and bark beetles, though specific details for this species remain limited. It is one of approximately 60 described species in the genus Odinia.
Odontotaenius disjunctus
patent-leather beetle, horned passalus, betsy beetle, Jerusalem beetle
Odontotaenius disjunctus is a large, flight-capable but predominantly walking beetle that inhabits decaying hardwood logs in temperate North American forests. Adults exhibit subsocial behavior, including cooperative brood care and acoustic communication via stridulation. The species plays a significant role in wood decomposition through specialized gut microbiomes that digest lignocellulose.
Oeme rigida
Rigid Oeme
Oeme rigida is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Thomas Say in 1826. The species is native to western North America, with records from the United States and Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: O. r. rigida (nominate) and O. r. deserta Casey, 1924. Adults have been collected from dead pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) branches, suggesting larval development in coniferous wood.
Olisthaerus substriatus
Striped Bark Rove Beetle
Olisthaerus substriatus is a small rove beetle in the subfamily Olisthaerinae, one of the few rove beetle lineages adapted to life under bark. It has a Holarctic distribution spanning northern North America and Eurasia. The species is associated with dead and decaying wood, where it inhabits the space beneath bark on standing or fallen trees. Its common name refers to the longitudinal striations on the elytra.
Orthosoma brunneum
Brown Prionid
Orthosoma brunneum is a large, brown longhorned beetle in the subfamily Prioninae, commonly known as the brown prionid. It is the sole species in its genus and is widely distributed across eastern North America. Adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to ultraviolet lights. Larvae develop in decaying logs and have been shown to tolerate and behaviorally respond to high carbon dioxide concentrations typical of their wood-boring habitat.
Osmoderma
Typical Hermit Beetles, Hermit Beetles
Osmoderma is a genus of scarab beetles in the subfamily Cetoniinae, commonly known as hermit beetles. The genus has a Holarctic distribution, with species found across Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. Several European species, particularly O. eremita and O. barnabita, are of significant conservation concern due to habitat loss and are protected under the EU Habitats Directive. The genus is characterized by its dependence on tree hollows for larval development, making it highly vulnerable to forest management practices that remove dead wood and veteran trees.
saproxylicconservationHabitats-Directivetree-hollowsveteran-treesindicator-speciesumbrella-specieswood-mouldCetoniinaeScarabaeidaeHolarcticEuropeNorth-Americathreatened-speciesdead-woodforest-managementcitizen-sciencedetection-dogsex-situ-breedingpollardingtraditional-agricultural-landscapesmetapopulationhabitat-fragmentationold-growth-forestbroad-leaved-treesoaklimewillowbeechorchardshedgerowsurban-parkspheromone-monitoringradio-trackingphoretic-mitesScopoli-1763Le-Peletier-&-Serville-1828O.-eremitaO.-barnabitaO.-eremicolahermit-beetleOsmoderma eremicola
Hermit Flower Beetle, Hermit Beetle
Osmoderma eremicola is a large scarab beetle native to eastern North America. Adults are nocturnal and associated with mature woodland habitats, particularly near tree trunks. The species is notable for producing a distinctive leathery odor and serves as a phoretic host for multiple mite species. Larvae develop in decaying wood and wood mould within hollow trees over a multi-year period.
Osmoderma scabra
Osmoderma scabra is a saproxylic scarab beetle species native to eastern North America. It belongs to the same genus as the European hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita), which is protected under the EU Habitats Directive and has been extensively studied for conservation monitoring. Unlike its European congener, O. scabra has received limited research attention and is not listed under major conservation frameworks. The species develops in decaying wood and hollow trees, where larvae feed on wood mould for multiple years before emerging as short-lived adults.
Osmodermatini
Hermit Beetles
Osmodermatini is a tribe of scarab beetles within the subfamily Cetoniinae, commonly known as hermit beetles. The group includes the genus Osmoderma and related taxa, characterized by their association with decaying wood in mature forests. These beetles are of conservation concern in many regions due to habitat loss.
Oxyporus major
Oxyporus major is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Oxyporinae. It is found across eastern North America, from Canada to the southeastern United States. As a member of the Oxyporinae, it is associated with fungal habitats, particularly polypore bracket fungi.
Oxyporus rufipennis
Oxyporus rufipennis is a rove beetle in the subfamily Oxyporinae, characterized by relatively large size within the family and distinctive reddish wing covers. The species occurs across northeastern North America, with records spanning Canada and the eastern United States. Like other members of Oxyporus, it is associated with fungal habitats, particularly polypore bracket fungi on decaying wood.
Ozognathus cornutus
Acorn Anobiid
Ozognathus cornutus is a small spider beetle native to North America that has established populations across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, New Zealand, and South America. Adults are dark brown to black, measuring 1.5–2.8 mm. The species is saproxylophagous, feeding primarily on decaying wood tissues within galls formed by other insects, as well as dried fruits, vegetables, wood shavings, and insect excrements. It acts as a secondary occupant (successor) in galls of various gall-forming insects, with documented associations on at least 41 host-plant species. Despite potential to damage stored food products, the species shows strong preference for woody galls, which may limit economic impact.
Pachyneuridae
Pachyneuridae is a small family of flies in the infraorder Bibionomorpha, containing at least 8 described species across 7 genera. The family is poorly studied, with limited information on adult morphology and behavior. Larvae are known to inhabit rotting wood. The family has a scattered distribution with records from northern Europe and Southeast Asia.
Parallelostethus
Parallelostethus is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Schwarz in 1907. One species, P. attenuatus, has been studied in detail: males are strongly attracted to 1,8-octanediol di-hexanoate, a compound that may constitute the species' complete sex pheromone. The clicking mechanism's hinge morphology has been examined scientifically. In Indiana, P. attenuatus inhabits rotten logs where it consumes decaying moist wood tissue.
Passalidae
Bess Beetles, Bessbugs, Betsy Beetles, Horned Passalus Beetles
Passalidae is a family of approximately 500–1000 species of beetles commonly known as bess beetles or patent-leather beetles. They are predominantly tropical and subtropical, with notable North American species distinguished by large size (20–43 mm), a single cephalic horn, and unusual social behavior among beetles. They are among the most important saproxylic insects for wood decomposition in forest ecosystems.
Pediacus gracilis
Pediacus gracilis is a species of flat bark beetle in the family Cucujidae, described by Thomas in 2004. The genus Pediacus comprises flattened beetles associated with dead wood habitats. This species is distinguished from congeners by its slender body form, as indicated by its specific epithet. Records indicate presence in North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Peltis
Peltis is a genus of small, flattened beetles and the sole extant member of the family Peltidae. Species occur in North America and Europe, where they inhabit primeval forests and deadwood habitats. The genus includes rare, red-listed species such as Peltis grossa, which has shown population recovery following natural forest disturbances that increase deadwood availability.
Penthe
velvety bark beetles
Penthe is a genus of polypore fungus beetles in the family Tetratomidae, comprising at least nine described species. The genus is the type genus of the subfamily Penthinae. Adults and larvae are saproxylic, feeding on fungi associated with decaying wood. The genus has a complex taxonomic history, having been placed in Tenebrionidae, Melandryidae, and finally Tetratomidae based on larval and adult morphological characters.
Phileurus valgus
Phileurus valgus is a small dynastine scarab beetle in the tribe Phileurini, distributed from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. Adults are attracted to lights and have been found under bark of decaying wood. Larvae develop in rotting wood cavities. The species is sometimes mistaken for bess beetles (Passalidae) due to its flattened, parallel-sided body form.
Philothermus
Philothermus is a genus of minute bark beetles in the family Cerylonidae, containing approximately 17 described species. Members are small, compact beetles associated with dead wood habitats. The genus has been documented in Europe, with particular attention to rare species such as P. evanescens in France. Available information on biology and distribution remains limited for most species.
Phloeocharinae
Phloeocharinae is a subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) characterized by distinctive abdominal tergal combs and procoxal morphology. The group contains five genera and six species in North America, with the genus Phloeocharis dominating the European fauna. Members are primarily saproxylic, inhabiting damp forest environments under bark and in leaf litter. The biology of most species remains poorly known.
Phloeocharis
Phloeocharis is a genus of rove beetles in the subfamily Phloeocharinae. Species in this genus are saproxylic, living under tree bark in association with bark beetle communities. The genus is native to the Palearctic region, with at least one species, Phloeocharis subtilissima, introduced to North America via port cities.
Phloeodes plicatus
Wrinkled Ironclad Beetle
Phloeodes plicatus, commonly known as the Wrinkled Ironclad Beetle, is a flightless beetle in the family Zopheridae. It is closely related to Phloeodes diabolicus, the diabolical ironclad beetle, and shares the remarkable structural durability characteristic of this genus. The species has been reclassified under the genus Nosoderma in some taxonomic treatments.
Phloeonomus
Protea Rove Beetles
Phloeonomus is a genus of ocellate rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Omaliinae, containing approximately eight described species. Species within this genus are obligate saproxylic beetles associated with decaying wood and polypore fungi. The larval stages have been characterized for at least one species (P. punctipennis), showing three instars with morphological differences in antennal, leg, and urogomphal proportions between early and late instars.
Phloiotrya fusca
Dark False Darkling Beetle
Phloiotrya fusca is a small beetle in the family Melandryidae, commonly known as the Dark False Darkling Beetle. It is a saproxylic species associated with decaying wood. The species has been documented in eastern Canada, with records from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
Phryganophilus collaris
Collared False Darkling Beetle
A small false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, recognized by the distinctive pale pronotal collar that contrasts with its darker body. The species occurs across northern and western North America, with records from boreal and montane regions of Canada. Like other melandryids, it is associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The specific epithet and common name both reference the contrasting light-colored band across the pronotum.
Piestinae
Piestinae is a subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) characterized by an elongate, flattened body form and antennae inserted beneath shelf-like projections of the frons. Members are primarily associated with decaying wood habitats, where many species occur under bark. The subfamily includes several genera, notably Piestus and Siagonium. Ecologically, they function as saprophages or mycophages in dead wood ecosystems.
Piestus
flat rove beetles
Piestus is a genus of flat rove beetles established by Gravenhorst in 1806. The genus contains more than 30 described species and is classified within the subfamily Piestinae of the family Staphylinidae. Members of this genus are characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened body form, an adaptation associated with their habitat preferences. The genus is part of the diverse rove beetle fauna, though specific ecological details for most species remain poorly documented.
Placonotus falinorum
Placonotus falinorum is a species of small beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, a group commonly known as lined flat bark beetles. The species is known from very few observations, reflecting either rarity or limited survey effort. Members of this genus are associated with dead or decaying wood and fungal substrates.
Platyceroides keeni
Keen's Stag Beetle
Platyceroides keeni is a species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae, found in western North America from British Columbia to California. It is one of the smaller members of its genus and is associated with forested habitats. Adult beetles are active during warmer months, with larvae developing in decaying wood.
Platyceroides laticollis
Platyceroides laticollis is a species of stag beetle described by Casey in 1914. It belongs to the family Lucanidae, a group characterized by enlarged mandibles in males. The species has been documented in western North America, specifically in California and Oregon. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with decaying wood habitats.
Platycerus
Platycerus is a genus of small stag beetles in the family Lucanidae, comprising over 50 species distributed across deciduous forests of the Northern Hemisphere. Members are saproxylic, developing in deadwood of cool, temperate broadleaf forests. Adults are elusive with short flight periods and cryptic habits, making them generally uncommon and locally rare in many regions.
Platycerus quercus
Oak Stag Beetle
Platycerus quercus is a small stag beetle in the family Lucanidae, commonly known as the Oak Stag Beetle. It is distinguished from other North American stag beetles by its relatively modest size and reduced mandibles in males. The species is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with associations to oak-dominated forests. Both adults and larvae are linked to decaying wood habitats.
Platysoma aequum
clown beetle
Platysoma aequum is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. The genus Platysoma comprises small predatory beetles that inhabit spaces beneath bark, where they hunt other insects. This species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the eastern and central United States. As with other histerid beetles, it likely plays a role in controlling populations of fly and beetle larvae in dead and decaying wood.
Platysoma parallelum
clown beetle
Platysoma parallelum is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is found in North America, with records from multiple U.S. states. Like other members of the genus Platysoma, it is likely associated with decaying wood and bark habitats where it preys on other insects.
Poemeniinae
Poemeniinae is a small subfamily of ichneumonid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) established by Narayanan & Lal in 1953. Members are ectoparasitoids of wood-boring insects, with hosts including beetle larvae (Cerambycidae, Buprestidae) and xylophilous bees (Apoidea). The subfamily exhibits high local species richness in undisturbed forest habitats, particularly in the Carpathian Mountains where up to 95 species of the broader pimpliform group have been documented in a single 250-hectare forest patch. Taxonomic stability has been limited, with genera such as Podoschistus historically transferred between Xorides, Neoxorides, and other groupings.
Polyporivora polypori
flat-footed fly
Polyporivora polypori is a species of flat-footed fly in the family Platypezidae. The genus Polyporivora is associated with bracket fungi (polypores), though specific host relationships for P. polypori remain poorly documented. The species was described by Willard in 1914. Available records suggest it occurs in forested environments where suitable fungal hosts are present.
Priognathus
Priognathus is a genus of dead log beetles in the family Pythidae, established by LeConte in 1850. The genus contains a single described species, Priognathus monilicornis. Members of this genus are part of the small family Pythidae, which is associated with decaying wood habitats. Information on the biology and ecology of Priognathus remains limited due to its rarity and the scarcity of observations.
Priognathus monilicornis
Necklace-horned Dead Log Beetle
A small beetle in the family Pythidae, commonly known as the Necklace-horned Dead Log Beetle. Found in decaying wood habitats across western and central Canada. The common name refers to the beaded or necklace-like appearance of its antennae.
Prioninae
Tooth-necked and Aberrant Longhorn Beetles, prionids
Prioninae is a subfamily of long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising large, robust beetles typically measuring 25–70 mm. They are distinguished by males of several genera possessing enlarged mandibles used in male-male combat, analogous to stag beetles. Most species are nocturnal and attracted to light. Larvae are wood-borers, with the majority of documented species feeding on rotting wood or roots.
Prorates
Prorates is a genus of small predatory flies in the family Scenopinidae (window flies), established by Melander in 1906. The genus belongs to the subfamily Proratinae, which is characterized by distinctive morphological features and predatory habits. Members of this genus are poorly known biologically, with limited published information on their ecology and behavior. The genus is distinguished from other scenopinid genera primarily by structural characteristics of the head, antennae, and male terminalia.
Prosternon medianus
Click beetle
Prosternon medianus is a click beetle (Elateridae) species native to eastern North America. It is characterized by its elongated, parallel-sided body form and smooth, dark elytra with subtle pubescence. The species is associated with forested and riparian habitats where its larvae develop in decaying wood. Adults are active during spring and early summer, with activity peaking in May and June. The species is part of the diverse Prosternon genus, which contains approximately 15 species primarily distributed in the Holarctic region.
Prostomidae
jugular-horned beetles, Red Log Beetles
Prostomidae is a small family of beetles comprising two extant genera (Prostomis and Dryocora) with approximately 20 species. These elongate, parallel-sided beetles are specialized inhabitants of dead wood, where both larvae and adults develop. The family exhibits a disjunct global distribution: Prostomis occurs in North America, Europe, Africa, the Pacific region and East Asia, while Dryocora is restricted to New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania. An extinct genus, Vetuprostomis, is known from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.
Protaxymyia
Protaxymyia is a genus of flies in the family Axymyiidae, established by Mamaev and Krivosheina in 1966. This genus belongs to a small, relictual family of Diptera whose members are associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. Species within Protaxymyia are poorly known, with limited published biological information available.
Prothalpia
Prothalpia is a genus of false darkling beetles in the family Melandryidae, established by LeConte in 1862. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across North America and East Asia. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles associated with decaying wood and forest habitats. The genus is part of the diverse assemblage of saproxylic beetles that contribute to wood decomposition processes.
Pseudocistela brevis
Pseudocistela brevis is a species of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) first described by Thomas Say in 1824. The species is documented from eastern Canada, with confirmed records in New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. Like other members of the genus Pseudocistela, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized beetles associated with forest floor habitats and decaying organic matter.
Pseudotephritis
Pseudotephritis is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, containing five described species distributed across North America, Europe, and East Asia. Species in this genus are saproxylic, with larvae developing in weakened and dying deciduous trees. Adults are typically collected in forest canopies and are attracted to fermenting baits. The genus was established by Johnson in 1902.
Pycnomerini
Pycnomerini is a tribe of beetles in the family Zopheridae, subfamily Zopherinae, first described by Erichson in 1845. The tribe includes the genus Pycnomerus, whose members are primarily saproxylic, inhabiting dead and decaying wood in forest ecosystems. Some species, such as P. rimatara and P. prebblei from Rimatara in French Polynesia, are known only from subfossil material and are considered likely extinct due to habitat destruction. The tribe has a global distribution with documented observations across multiple regions.
Pycnomerus
ironclad beetles
Pycnomerus is a genus of ironclad beetles (family Zopheridae) comprising more than 20 described species. Members are small, elongated beetles with hardened, often sculptured exoskeletons typical of the family. The genus includes both widespread and highly restricted species, with some island endemics now considered extinct due to habitat loss. Several species are associated with dead wood habitats and are classified as saproxylic.
Pyrochroidae
Fire-colored Beetles, Fire-coloured Beetles, Red Cardinal Beetles
Pyrochroidae is a family of beetles commonly known as fire-colored beetles or red cardinal beetles, comprising approximately 150 species distributed worldwide except Antarctica. Members of this family are saproxylic, with larvae developing beneath bark and in decaying woody debris of dead logs. The family was expanded to include most former members of the defunct family Pedilidae. Many species in the subfamily Pyrochroinae exhibit distinctive comb- or antler-like antennae.
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.
Pytho
dead log beetles, dead log bark beetles
Pytho is a small genus of saproxylic beetles in the family Pythidae, commonly known as dead log beetles or dead log bark beetles. The genus comprises approximately nine to ten described species distributed across the Holarctic region, recognized as typically boreal taxa. Species inhabit the cambial layer of dead trees, particularly conifers, where larvae feed on partially decomposed wood and bark. Several species have disjunct distributions spanning North America, Europe, and Japan, reflecting complex historical biogeographic patterns involving vicariance and dispersal across Beringia. Some species, such as P. abieticola, are considered relicts of primeval forests and are in decline across much of Central Europe.
Pytho niger
Black Pythid Beetle
Pytho niger is a species of dead log beetle in the family Pythidae, found in North America. It is commonly known as the Black Pythid Beetle. The species belongs to a small family of beetles associated with decaying wood habitats. Limited information is available on its specific biology and ecology.
Quilnus
Quilnus is a genus of flat bugs in the family Aradidae, first described by Stål in 1873. Members of this genus are characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies, an adaptation associated with their lifestyle under bark or in other tight spaces. The genus is part of the diverse Aradidae family, which comprises over 200 genera of primarily mycophagous or saprophagous true bugs. As of current records, the genus contains relatively few described species, and detailed biological information remains limited.
Rainieria
A genus of stilt-legged flies (Diptera: Micropezidae) containing at least 20 described species. Members are characterized by their elongated legs and slender bodies typical of the family. The genus has a Palearctic distribution with records from Europe and Asia, including recent discoveries in South Korea. Some species, such as Rainieria calceata, are considered rare and endangered with limited dispersal capabilities.
Rhabdophloeus horni
lined flat bark beetle
Rhabdophloeus horni is a species of lined flat bark beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, first described by Casey in 1884. The species is found in North America. Members of this family are characterized by their flattened body form, an adaptation for living beneath bark. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Rhagium
flower longhorn beetles, ribbed pine borers
Rhagium is a genus of flower longhorn beetles in the subfamily Lepturinae, family Cerambycidae. The genus contains approximately 25 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with notable species including the widespread Rhagium inquisitor (ribbed pine borer) and Rhagium mordax. Species in this genus exhibit distinctive morphological features including relatively short antennae compared to other cerambycids, often with ribbed or sculptured elytra. The genus is notable for containing the only North American cerambycid known to overwinter as adults (R. inquisitor).
Rhagium inquisitor
Ribbed Pine Borer
Rhagium inquisitor, commonly known as the ribbed pine borer, is a medium-sized longhorn beetle distinguished by its unusual morphology and unique life history. Unlike most cerambycids, adults have short antennae and a 'big-shouldered' build with heavily ribbed elytra. The species is notable for being one of the few North American cerambycids to overwinter as adults rather than larvae, and for pupating directly beneath bark rather than in the sapwood. It has a broad Holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia.
Rhyncolini
Rhyncolini is a tribe of weevils within the subfamily Cossoninae (family Curculionidae). The tribe comprises approximately 50 described genera distributed across multiple continents. Members of this tribe are characterized by their association with dead or decaying wood, where they develop as larvae. The genus Rhyncolus serves as the type genus for the tribe.
Rhyncolus minor
Rhyncolus minor is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Cossoninae. Members of the genus Rhyncolus are typically associated with dead wood and are considered secondary colonizers of decaying timber. This species is part of a group of small, cylindrical weevils characterized by elongated rostra and fossorial (burrowing) habits.
Rhysodidae
Wrinkled Bark Beetles
Rhysodidae is a family of saproxylic beetles comprising over 350 species in approximately 20 genera, predominantly distributed in tropical forests worldwide. The family contains three European species: Rhysodes sulcatus (Wrinkled Bark Beetle), Clinidium canaliculatum, and Omoglymmius germari. Members are obligate saproxylic beetles dependent on deadwood habitats, with most species being flightless, poorly mobile, and exhibiting cryptic habits. Rhysodes sulcatus is listed as Endangered in the EU-27 and serves as an umbrella species and bioindicator for ancient forest remnants.
Rhyssinae
Rhyssinae is a subfamily of parasitoid wasps within Ichneumonidae, comprising approximately 450 described species across eight genera worldwide. Members are characterized by extremely long ovipositors used by females to drill into wood and parasitize larvae of wood-boring insects, particularly Siricidae (woodwasps) and wood-boring beetles. The subfamily shows highest species diversity in the Oriental region, with significant representation in tropical forests of South America and Africa. Fossil evidence dates the subfamily to the Eocene, approximately 47 million years ago.
Rosalia
Rosalia longicorn, Alpine longhorn beetle
Rosalia is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Audinet-Serville in 1833. The genus includes the iconic Rosalia alpina, known as the Rosalia longicorn or Alpine longhorn beetle, a large and strikingly colored species protected under the European Union Habitats Directive. Members of this genus are associated with beech forests and have experienced significant range contractions across Europe due to habitat loss and forest management practices. The genus is characterized by elongated bodies, long antennae, and often distinctive coloration including blue-gray tones with black spots.
Rutelini
shining leaf chafers
Rutelini is a tribe of scarab beetles commonly known as shining leaf chafers, distinguished by their often metallic or iridescent coloration. The tribe comprises approximately 14 genera and at least 40 described species, with notable genera including Chrysina (jewel scarabs), Pelidnota, and Macraspis. Members are primarily distributed in the New World tropics and subtropics. Many species exhibit striking structural coloration and have been subjects of taxonomic revision due to their morphological diversity and conservation interest.
Salebriaria equivoca
Salebriaria equivoca is a species of death-watch beetle in the family Anobiidae. It belongs to a genus of small, wood-boring beetles found in North America. Like other anobiids, larvae develop in dead or decaying wood, contributing to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. The species is part of the subfamily Ernobiinae, which includes beetles associated with hardwood substrates.
Salpingidae
Narrow-waisted Bark Beetles
Salpingidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, commonly known as narrow-waisted bark beetles. The family comprises approximately 45 genera and 300 species distributed globally, with greatest diversity in temperate regions of both hemispheres. Species range from 1.5 to 7 mm in length and are primarily associated with dead or dying wood, where they feed on fungi, organic matter, and occasionally other insects.
Salpinginae
narrow-waisted bark beetles
Salpinginae is a subfamily of beetles within the family Salpingidae, commonly referred to as narrow-waisted bark beetles. The group contains at least 11 recognized genera distributed across multiple continents. Members are associated with dead or decaying wood, where they occur under bark. The subfamily was established by Leach in 1815 and remains taxonomically accepted.
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.
Sciaroidea
Fungus Gnats and Gall Midges
Sciaroidea is a superfamily of nematoceran flies in the infraorder Bibionomorpha, comprising approximately 16 families and over 15,000 described species. The group includes fungus gnats, gall midges, and related families, with larvae predominantly associated with fungi, dead wood, and soil. Fennoscandia represents a major biodiversity hotspot for this group, harboring roughly 1,000 species—about 83% of Europe's total. Despite substantial DNA barcoding efforts yielding over 56,000 barcode index numbers (BINs), only 5% currently have scientific names assigned, indicating vast undescribed diversity.
Scirtoidea
Scirtoidea is a superfamily of small beetles within the suborder Polyphaga, traditionally comprising four families: Clambidae, Decliniidae, Eucinetidae, and Scirtidae. Molecular phylogenetics has challenged this circumscription, suggesting Clambidae and Eucinetidae belong to a separate superfamily Clamboidea. Scirtoidea and Clamboidea represent the two earliest diverging lineages of extant polyphagan beetles. The superfamily includes two extinct families known from Mesozoic deposits: †Mesocinetidae (Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, Asia) and †Elodophthalmidae (Lebanese amber, Barremian).
Scotochroa basalis
Basal False Darkling Beetle
Scotochroa basalis is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. It is known from western and central Canada, with confirmed records in Alberta, British Columbia, and Newfoundland. The species is rarely encountered, with only five observations documented on iNaturalist as of the available data. Like other members of Melandryidae, it likely inhabits forested environments where it develops in decaying wood.
Scraptiini
Scraptiini is a tribe of small beetles within the family Scraptiidae, commonly known as false flower beetles. Members are characterized by their compact body form and association with decaying plant material. The tribe was established by Gistel in 1848 and contains multiple genera distributed across temperate regions. These beetles are part of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea and are often encountered in moist, decaying wood or fungal habitats.
Siagonium stacesmithi
Siagonium stacesmithi is a rove beetle in the subfamily Piestinae, described by Hatch in 1957. The species is known from scattered records across northern North America, including western Canada, the Yukon, and parts of the western and northeastern United States. Like other members of Siagonium, it is a small, elongate beetle associated with forest floor habitats. It remains poorly known biologically, with only a handful of documented observations.
Silvanoprus angusticollis
Silvanoprus angusticollis is a silvanid flat bark beetle (family Silvanidae) first described by Reitter in 1876. The species occurs in North America, including the Canadian province of Québec. Like other members of Silvanidae, it inhabits environments associated with dead or decaying wood and stored plant products. The genus Silvanoprus is distinguished from related genera by specific morphological features of the antennae and pronotum.
Sinodendron
Sinodendron is a genus of stag beetles in the family Lucanidae. The genus comprises three recognized species: S. cylindricum, S. persicum, and S. rugosum. Species are distributed across Europe, Western Asia, and North America. Members are saproxylic wood-boring beetles associated with decaying wood.
Sinodendron rugosum
Rugose Stag Beetle
Sinodendron rugosum, the rugose stag beetle, is a small stag beetle and the only member of its genus in western North America. Adults are black, 11–18 mm in length, with a distinctively pitted, rough-textured exoskeleton. Males possess a short median horn on the head, while females lack this structure or have only a small tubercle. The species develops in decaying wood of broadleaf trees and is active as an adult from spring through early summer.
Solva
wood soldier flies
Solva is a genus of soldier flies in the family Xylomyidae, commonly known as wood soldier flies. These Diptera are characterized by their association with decaying wood habitats. The genus is distributed across northern Europe and North America, with documented records from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the northeastern United States including Vermont. Solva species are part of the understudied but ecologically significant group of xylophagous insects that contribute to wood decomposition processes.
Solva pallipes
Solva pallipes is a species of soldier fly in the family Xylomyidae, distributed across most of North America. Adults are associated with wooded habitats and are attracted to light. Larvae develop under the bark of various deciduous trees, where they feed on decaying wood and associated microorganisms.
Sphegina lobulifera
Black-lobed Pufftail
Sphegina lobulifera is a rare syrphid fly known from eastern North America. Adults are flower-visiting insects that obtain nectar and pollen from floral resources. The species belongs to the pufftail group, characterized by distinctive abdominal morphology. Larvae develop in decaying sap accumulations under bark in moist woodland habitats.
Stephanopachys
horned powder-post beetles
Stephanopachys is a genus of horned powder-post beetles (family Bostrichidae) comprising more than 20 described species. The genus was established by Waterhouse in 1888. Members are saproxylic beetles associated with wood decomposition, with at least one species (S. linearis) exhibiting pyrophilous behavior and conservation concern in Europe.
Stethon
Stethon is a genus of beetles in the family Eucnemidae, first described by LeConte in 1866. Members of this genus are classified within the false click beetles, a group characterized by their inability to produce the clicking sound typical of true click beetles (Elateridae). The genus is part of the diverse beetle fauna of North America.
Stictoleptura
Stictoleptura is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) distributed across the Holarctic region, with species in Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus includes medium-sized beetles typically associated with broadleaved woodland habitats. The first genome sequence for the genus was published for Stictoleptura scutellata, a scarce species in Britain associated with ancient woodland and wood pasture.
Taphroscelidia
Taphroscelidia is a genus of small beetles in the family Passandridae, first described by Crotch in 1873. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed across multiple continents. Members of this genus are classified as flat bark beetles, a group associated with woody substrates. The genus has been documented through 192 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate but widespread recording effort.
Temnoscheila omolopha
Temnoscheila omolopha is a species of bark-gnawing beetle in the family Trogossitidae. It belongs to a genus of beetles associated with dead and decaying wood, particularly on conifers. The species is rarely encountered in the field, with only six observations documented on iNaturalist, suggesting either genuine rarity or highly specialized habitat requirements that limit detection.
Temnostoma
Falsehorn Flies
Temnostoma is a genus of hoverflies (Syrphidae) renowned for their sophisticated Batesian mimicry of wasps. Adults possess overall morphological resemblance to hymenopterans, including darkened wing margins that mimic the folded wings of vespid wasps at rest. A distinctive behavioral adaptation involves waving the forelegs in front of the head to simulate wasp antennae. The genus comprises approximately 25 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with larvae that are saproxylic—developing in wet, decaying wood where they feed on microorganisms.
Temnostoma trifasciatum
Three-lined Falsehorn
Temnostoma trifasciatum is a rare species of syrphid fly found in eastern and central North America. Adults are strong mimics of solitary mason wasps (Eumeninae), exhibiting sophisticated behavioral and morphological mimicry. The species is associated with woodland habitats where larvae develop in moist decayed wood. Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Tenebroides rugosipennis
Tenebroides rugosipennis is a species of bark-gnawing beetle in the family Trogossitidae. Members of this genus are generally associated with dead or decaying wood and fungal habitats. This species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information available regarding its biology and ecology. It belongs to a family containing both predatory and mycophagous species.
Tetratoma
Tetratoma is a genus of polypore fungus beetles comprising approximately 25 described species. These small beetles are associated with wood-decaying fungi and are members of the family Tetratomidae within the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. The genus was established by Fabricius in 1790 and is primarily distributed across northern and temperate regions of the Palearctic.
Thanerocleridae
Thanerocleridae is a small family of predaceous cleroid beetles comprising 36 extant species in 10 genera. Formerly classified as a subfamily of Cleridae, it was elevated to family rank based on molecular data. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution concentrated in tropical and subtropical regions, with one relictual temperate genus (Zenodosus) in North America. Species occupy habitats associated with wood-decaying fungi and tree bark, where they prey on small beetles.
Thymalidae
Thymalidae is a family of beetles in the superfamily Cleroidea, recently elevated from subfamily status within Trogossitidae based on molecular phylogenetic studies. The family comprises two subfamilies with markedly different distributions and ecologies: Decamerinae, found in Central and South America and associated with flowers, and Thymalinae, containing only the genus Thymalus, which has a Holarctic and Oriental distribution and is associated with tree bark and deadwood. In Europe, Thymalus limbatus is the sole representative, restricted to natural forests with large deadwood accumulations.
Tipulomorpha
crane flies, crane flies and allies
Tipulomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera containing crane flies and allied families, representing one of the largest and most diverse groups of true flies. The infraorder comprises five extant families: Tipulidae (large crane flies), Limoniidae (limoniid crane flies), Pediciidae (hairy-eyed crane flies), Cylindrotomidae (long-bodied crane flies), and Trichoceridae (winter crane flies). With approximately 15,000 described species in the family Tipulidae alone, this group exhibits remarkable morphological diversity, particularly in larval forms. Adults are characterized by elongated bodies, extremely long legs, and single pair of membranous wings. Larval habitats range from aquatic environments to terrestrial soils, decaying wood, and even snow-covered surfaces in specialized groups.
Tragosoma
Tragosoma is a genus of large saproxylic longhorn beetles in the subfamily Prioninae, distributed across the Holarctic region. The genus includes approximately six described species, with Tragosoma depsarium being the most widely studied and the type species. These beetles are obligate deadwood specialists whose larvae develop in the sapwood of conifers, particularly pines. Adults are notable for their robust, somewhat flattened bodies and relatively short antennae compared to other cerambycids. Several species are of conservation concern due to their dependence on specific deadwood microhabitats threatened by modern forestry practices.
Tragosoma harrisii
Hairy Pine Borer
Tragosoma harrisii is a large longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Prioninae. It is one of the few North American cerambycids with a Holarctic distribution, also occurring in Europe and Asia. The species is associated with coniferous forests and has been documented in boreal and montane regions across its range. Adults are active during summer months and have been collected using sweet red wine-baited traps.
Tragosoma spiculum
Tragosoma spiculum is a long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Prioninae. The species is found in North America, with records from western Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba) and the western United States. Like other members of the genus Tragosoma, it is a wood-boring beetle associated with coniferous forests. The species is attracted to sweet red wine-baited jug traps, suggesting adult feeding on fermenting sap or other sugar sources.
Tremecinae
woodwasps, horntails
Tremecinae is a subfamily of woodwasps (Siricidae) distinguished from Siricinae by its association with the white-rot fungus Cerrena unicolor rather than Amylostereum. Unlike Siricinae, which carry symbiotic fungi in specialized mycangia, at least some Tremecinae species lack these structures and do not internally transport fungal symbionts. Females locate host wood already infected with sapwood-decaying fungi using volatile compounds. The subfamily includes forest pests that interact with fungal communities in decaying wood.
Trichiini
Bee Beetles and Flower Scarabs
Trichiini is a tribe of scarab beetles within the subfamily Cetoniinae (Scarabaeidae), historically treated as a subfamily (Trichiinae). Members range from 6 to 65 mm and include the conspicuous European bee beetles (genus Trichius). The tribe comprises five subtribes: Cryptodontina, Incaina, Osmodermatina, Platygeniina, and Trichiina. Adults are primarily flower-associated, feeding on sugar-rich plant secretions, while most larvae develop in rotten wood or decaying organic matter.
Trichochrous ferrugineus
Trichochrous ferrugineus is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae, a group of saproxylic beetles associated with decaying wood. The genus Trichochrous comprises small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their elongated bodies and reduced or non-functional clicking mechanism compared to true click beetles (Elateridae). Species in this genus are typically found in forested habitats where they develop in dead or dying hardwoods.
Trimitomerus riversii
Trimitomerus riversii is a species of dead-log beetle in the family Pythidae, first described by Horn in 1888. It is endemic to North America. The genus Trimitomerus comprises elongate beetles associated with decaying wood habitats. Like other Pythidae, this species is thought to develop in rotting wood, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented. The family Pythidae is a small group of beetles historically allied with Bostrichidae and Anobiidae, now recognized as a distinct lineage within Bostrichiformia.
Uloma
Uloma is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae comprising more than 200 species and subspecies worldwide. The genus is particularly diverse in China, with at least 37 recorded species. Immature stages have been described for few species, revealing oligopod larvae and exarate pupae with sexual dimorphism in some species. Members are primarily associated with decaying wood in forest habitats.
Uloma mentalis
Uloma mentalis is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1870. It belongs to the genus Uloma, a group of small to medium-sized beetles associated with decaying wood and forest floor habitats. The species is known from limited observations in North America, with confirmed records from Ontario, Canada. As with many tenebrionid beetles, its biology is poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Vanhornia
Vanhornia is a genus of small parasitoid wasps comprising four described species. It is the sole genus in the family Vanhorniidae, a group formerly placed in Proctotrupoidea but now classified in Diaprioidea. Species are known from North America, the Palearctic, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. All members are parasitoids of beetle larvae in the family Eucnemidae.
Vanhorniidae
Vanhorniidae is a small family of parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Proctotrupoidea, containing the single genus Vanhornia with six recognized species worldwide. The family is characterized by highly specialized morphology including exodont mandibles, low antennal insertion, and an exceptionally long ovipositor that projects anteriorly from its base and is housed in a ventral groove. Species are koinobiont endoparasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae in the family Eucnemidae (false click beetles). The North American species Vanhornia eucnemidarum was long considered rare due to limited collection records, but recent data integration revealed a much broader distribution than previously recognized.
Vincenzellus elongatus
Vincenzellus elongatus is a species of narrow-waisted bark beetle in the family Salpingidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1852. It is known from North America, with records from Alaska and the contiguous United States. The species belongs to a small family of beetles commonly associated with dead or decaying wood. Specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Xiphydria canadensis
Canadian Wood Wasp
Xiphydria canadensis is a species of wood wasp in the family Xiphydriidae, native to North America. Wood wasps in this family are characterized by their elongated bodies and long ovipositors used to drill into wood to deposit eggs. The species is known to be a host for parasitic ichneumonid wasps, specifically Rhyssella nitida, which uses its long ovipositor to reach the wood wasp larvae inside logs and dead trees. Adults are active during spring and early summer.
Xiphydria polia
Xiphydria polia is a species of wood-wasp in the family Xiphydriidae, a group of sawfly-relatives within Hymenoptera. Like other xiphydriids, it is a wood-boring insect whose larvae develop inside dead or dying hardwood trees. The family is characterized by a distinctive cornus—a spine-like projection at the tip of the abdomen present in both sexes. Very little specific information is documented for X. polia compared to better-known relatives such as Xiphydria maculata or the pigeon tremex (Tremex columba).
Xylitini
Xylitini is a tribe of darkling beetles within the family Melandryidae, established by C.G. Thomson in 1864. Members of this tribe are primarily associated with dead and decaying wood, where they develop as larvae. The tribe includes several genera of small to medium-sized beetles that are part of the broader saproxylic beetle community.
Xylobiini
Xylobiini is a tribe of false click beetles within the family Eucnemidae, subfamily Melasinae. Members of this tribe are associated with decaying wood habitats and are part of the diverse elateriform beetle fauna. The tribe was established by Reitter in 1911 and includes genera characterized by particular morphological features of the prosternal process and antennae. Xylobiini represents one of several tribes within the predominantly saproxylic subfamily Melasinae.
Xylomya aterrima
Xylomya aterrima is a species of wood soldier fly in the family Xylomyidae. It belongs to a small family of flies whose larvae develop in decaying wood and under bark. The species was described by Johnson in 1903. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with forested habitats where dead and decaying wood is present. The family Xylomyidae is closely related to Stratiomyidae and shares ecological similarities in larval development.
Xylomyidae
Wood Soldier Flies
Xylomyidae is a family of small to medium-sized flies commonly known as wood soldier flies. The family comprises approximately 138 described species across four extant genera. Members are strongly associated with dead or dying wood, where they carry out their development. The family has a fossil record extending to the Cretaceous period, with several extinct genera known from Burmese and Lebanese amber.
Xylophilus cylindriformis
Xylophilus cylindriformis is a species of false click beetle (family Eucnemidae) in the order Coleoptera. The species is known from a single observation record, indicating extreme rarity or limited detection in the field. Members of the genus Xylophilus are typically associated with dead or decaying wood, where larvae develop as saproxylic feeders. Adults are generally small to medium-sized beetles with elongated, cylindrical body forms.
Xylota bicolor
Eastern Orange-tailed Leafwalker
Xylota bicolor is a rare species of syrphid fly found across the eastern half of North America. Adults are medium-sized hover flies with distinctive black bodies and orange abdomens. Unlike many flower flies, adults rarely visit flowers, instead feeding on pollen from leaf surfaces. The larvae develop under bark in sap runs of deciduous trees.
Zelia vertebrata
Zelia vertebrata is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, characterized by a long body, strong abdominal bristles, and a distinctive abdominal pattern resembling vertebrae. It is a generalist parasitoid targeting beetle larvae in multiple families. The species has a widespread North American distribution and is most active during the day.
Zygomyia
Zygomyia is a genus of fungus gnats (family Mycetophilidae) established by Winnertz in 1863. The genus comprises at least 80 described species. Members are small, delicate flies associated with fungal habitats.