Silvanidae
Guides
Ahasverus
Ahasverus is a genus of beetles in the family Silvanidae. The genus is best known for Ahasverus advena (foreign grain beetle), a cosmopolitan stored product pest found in 110 countries. Ahasverus species are primarily fungal feeders, with larvae capable of developing on fungi alone. The genus includes at least two other species found in stored products, though A. advena dominates ecological and economic literature.
Airaphilus
Airaphilus is a genus of beetles in the family Silvanidae, subfamily Silvaninae. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed across Europe, North Africa, Madagascar, and Japan. At least one species, Airaphilus abei, is flightless (apterous) and has been assessed as potentially endangered due to habitat loss. The genus was first described by Redtenbacher in 1858.
Brontinae
Brontinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Silvanidae, established by Blanchard in 1845. These beetles are part of the superfamily Cucujoidea, a diverse group of small to medium-sized beetles often associated with stored products, decaying plant matter, or fungal habitats. The subfamily contains multiple genera and is primarily distinguished by morphological features of the head and antennae. Brontinae species are found across various regions but are not as extensively studied as some other silvanid groups.
Cathartosilvanus vulgaris
Cathartosilvanus vulgaris is a species of silvanid flat bark beetle in the family Silvanidae. Members of this genus are associated with decomposing plant material and are frequently found under bark, in rotting wood, and in similar moist, concealed habitats. The species is part of a group of beetles commonly known as flat bark beetles due to their dorsoventrally flattened body form, which allows them to exploit narrow spaces under bark and in other tight crevices. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Dendrophagus
Dendrophagus is a genus of beetles in the family Silvanidae, first described by Schönherr in 1809. The genus contains four recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region. Members of this genus are associated with woody habitats, reflecting their genus name derived from Greek roots meaning "tree-feeding."
Monanus
Monanus is a genus of small beetles in the family Silvanidae, first described by Sharp in 1879. The genus contains at least 21 described species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Species in this genus have been documented across multiple continents including Australia, Asia, and Africa. Members of Silvanidae are commonly known as silvanid flat bark beetles or cucujoid beetles, though specific ecological details for Monanus remain limited in published literature.
Nausibius
Nausibius clavicornis
Nausibius clavicornis is a cosmopolitan silvanid flat bark beetle known primarily as a pest of stored sugar products. It is frequently recorded from sugar commodities and has been most commonly collected from sugar in Trinidad, where it appears restricted to this substrate. Under laboratory conditions, development from egg to adult averages 30 days. The species exhibits relatively high fecundity and adult longevity, with females living up to 163 days and producing an average of 275 eggs. However, it is unlikely to multiply rapidly in raw or unrefined sugar, and any deterioration it causes in stored products is minor compared to other factors.
Nausibius repandus
silvanid flat bark beetle
Nausibius repandus is a species of silvanid flat bark beetle in the family Silvanidae, first described by LeConte in 1866. It is found in North America. The species belongs to a genus of beetles commonly associated with stored products and decaying plant material. Very few specific details about its biology or ecology have been documented in the available literature.
Oryzaephilus
sawtoothed grain beetles, merchant grain beetles
Oryzaephilus is a genus of small, flattened beetles in the family Silvanidae, comprising 16 described species. The genus includes two major stored product pests: O. surinamensis (sawtoothed grain beetle) and O. mercator (merchant grain beetle), which are nearly identical in appearance and frequently confused. Most species in the genus are associated with stored grain products, though some inhabit natural environments under bark and leaf litter. The genus is characterized by distinctive saw-like projections on the pronotum and complete metamorphosis with rapid development under favorable conditions.
Oryzaephilus mercator
Merchant Grain Beetle
A small, flattened beetle approximately 2.5–3 mm in length. A cosmopolitan pest of stored food products, particularly processed cereals and oilseeds with high oil content. Distinguished from the nearly identical Oryzaephilus surinamensis by its larger eyes and narrower head behind the eyes. Unlike O. surinamensis, adults are capable of flight.
Pensus gilae
Pensus gilae is a small beetle species in the family Silvanidae, described by Casey in 1884. It belongs to a genus of flat bark beetles found in North America. Members of this family are generally associated with dead or decaying wood and plant material. Specific biological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Silvaninae
silvanid flat bark beetles
Silvaninae is a subfamily of silvanid flat bark beetles (family Silvanidae) comprising approximately 11 genera and at least 30 described species. The subfamily includes several economically significant stored product pests, most notably species in the genera *Oryzaephilus* and *Cathartus*. Members are characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies adapted for living under bark or in similar confined spaces. The group has a cosmopolitan distribution with species found across multiple continents.
Silvanoprus scuticollis
Silvanoprus scuticollis is a silvanid flat bark beetle with a remarkably broad distribution spanning six continents. The species was described by Walker in 1859 and belongs to the family Silvanidae, a group of beetles commonly associated with stored products and decaying plant material. Its presence across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions suggests either strong dispersal capabilities or human-mediated spread through trade.
Silvanus
Silvanus is a genus of beetles in the family Silvanidae, first described by Latreille in 1804. These insects belong to the superfamily Cucujoidea within the suborder Polyphaga. The genus is part of a group commonly known as silvanid or flat bark beetles, though specific ecological details for Silvanus itself are not well documented in the provided sources.
Silvanus nitidulus
Elegant Silvan Flat Bark Beetle
Silvanus nitidulus is a small flat bark beetle in the family Silvanidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1854 and is distributed across North America, with confirmed records from Alberta and Manitoba in Canada. It is known by the common name Elegant Silvan Flat Bark Beetle.
Silvanus planatus
Plain Silvan Flat Bark Beetle
Silvanus planatus is a species of silvanid flat bark beetle in the family Silvanidae. It is found in North America and Oceania. The species was described by Germar in 1824. Very little specific biological information is available for this species.
Telephanus
Telephanus is a genus of beetles in the family Silvanidae, first described by Erichson in 1846. The genus contains over 100 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records extending from North America through Central America to South America. Species in this genus are classified within the tribe Telephanini, subfamily Brontinae. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with many species described by Grouvelle, Nevermann, and Sharp in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Telephanus atricapillus
Black-headed Silvanid Beetle
Telephanus atricapillus is a small beetle in the family Silvanidae, commonly known as the Black-headed Silvanid Beetle. It is primarily known from northeastern North America, with records from Ontario, Québec, and Vermont. The species was described by Erichson in 1846 and is currently treated as a synonym of Telephanus velox in some taxonomic databases, though this synonymy may not be universally accepted. Like other silvanids, it is associated with stored products and forest floor habitats.
Uleiota
Uleiota is a genus of beetles in the family Silvanidae, first described by Latreille in 1797. The genus contains approximately 35 described species distributed across multiple continents. Members of this genus are classified within the subfamily Brontinae and tribe Brontini. The genus has been recorded from Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, indicating a broad geographic distribution.
Uleiota dubia
Uleiota dubia is a small beetle in the family Silvanidae, commonly known as flat bark beetles. The species was described by Fabricius in 1801. Its taxonomic status is currently marked as doubtful in some databases, suggesting potential issues with its circumscription or validity. The species has been recorded from North America.
Uleiota truncata
Uleiota truncata is a small beetle species in the family Silvanidae, first described by Motschulsky in 1845. Members of this family are commonly known as silvanid flat bark beetles, typically associated with decaying wood and bark habitats. The genus Uleiota contains multiple species distributed across various regions, though detailed species-level biology for U. truncata remains poorly documented in accessible literature.