Soft-winged-flower-beetle
Guides
Ablechrus granularis
Ablechrus granularis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Ablechrus belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, a group characterized by soft, flexible elytra. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only four records on iNaturalist as of the source date. The species epithet 'granularis' suggests a granular or roughened surface texture.
Anthocomus pristinus
Anthocomus pristinus is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Melyridae. It belongs to a genus of small, often brightly colored beetles commonly known as malachiid beetles or soft-winged flower beetles. The species is part of the subfamily Malachiinae, which is characterized by flexible elytra and frequent association with flowers. Specific ecological details for A. pristinus remain poorly documented.
Asydates grandiceps
Asydates grandiceps is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Asydates is part of a diverse group of beetles commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles, characterized by their soft elytra and frequent association with flowers. Limited specific information is available for this particular species.
Attalus frosti
Attalus frosti is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The species is known from very few specimens in Missouri, with records from Lichen Glade Natural Area in St. Clair County and a single specimen collected in a malaise trap in central Missouri. It is associated with post oak (Quercus stellata) in dry sandstone woodland habitats. The species appears to be rare and poorly known, with no records since the original collections.
Attalus nigripes
Attalus nigripes is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The species epithet 'nigripes' refers to its black legs. It belongs to a genus of small, often brightly colored beetles commonly found on flowers. Specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Attalus oregonensis
Attalus oregonensis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle (family Melyridae) in the order Coleoptera. The species epithet suggests an association with Oregon, though detailed geographic and ecological information is sparse. The genus Attalus comprises numerous species, many of which are found in western North America. Like other melyrids, members of this genus are typically associated with flowers and vegetation where they feed on pollen, nectar, and small arthropods.
Attalus rufiventris
Red-sutured Attalus
Attalus rufiventris is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, commonly known as the Red-sutured Attalus. The species belongs to a large genus of predatory beetles frequently found on flowers. As a member of Melyridae, it possesses the characteristic soft elytra and flexible body typical of the family. The specific epithet rufiventris refers to the reddish coloration of the ventral surface.
Axinotarsus pulicarius
soft-winged flower beetle
A small soft-winged flower beetle (Melyridae) measuring 2.75–3.75 mm, distinguished by a reddish-yellow pronotum with a broad black median band contrasting with dark grey to nearly black head and elytra. Native to Europe with broad distribution excluding northern latitudes and southern Mediterranean regions; introduced to North America where established in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes region. Known for elaborate courtship involving excitatory gland displays and mutual frontal tapping between sexes.
Collops balteatus
Red Cross Beetle
Collops balteatus, commonly known as the red cross beetle, is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. It is found in the south-central United States and Mexico. The species belongs to a family whose adults are frequently observed on flowers, where they feed on pollen and small insects.
Collops bipunctatus
Two-Spotted Melyrid
Collops bipunctatus, commonly known as the two-spotted melyrid, is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. It is found mainly in North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Alberta and Saskatchewan) and the United States. The species is one of approximately 1,000 species in the family Melyridae, which are characterized by soft, flexible elytra.
Collops confluens
convergent collops beetle
Collops confluens is a soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, subfamily Malachiinae. The species is closely related to Collops vittatus, with which it shares the characteristic soft, flexible elytra that distinguish this family from most beetles. Like other Collops species, it is a predatory beetle found in association with flowers and vegetation. The genus name "Collops" derives from Greek meaning "knob" or "lump," referring to the swollen hind femora characteristic of males in this genus. Adults are typically active during warmer months and are attracted to flowers where they prey on small arthropods.
Collops cribrosus
Collops beetle
Collops cribrosus is a soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, first described by LeConte in 1852. The species belongs to the genus Collops, which comprises predatory beetles frequently associated with flowering plants where they hunt small arthropod prey. Like other members of its genus, C. cribrosus is recognized as a beneficial insect in agricultural contexts, serving as a natural enemy of pest insects. The species has been documented in western North America, with confirmed records from British Columbia.
Collops crusoe
Collops crusoe is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Collops comprises predatory beetles frequently found on flowers where they feed on other small insects. Like other members of this genus, C. crusoe likely plays a role as a beneficial predator in agricultural and natural ecosystems. The species has been documented through a limited number of observations, indicating it may be uncommon, locally distributed, or underreported.
Collops dux
Collops dux is a species of soft-winged flower beetle (family Melyridae). Members of the genus Collops are predatory beetles frequently associated with flowering plants, where they feed on small arthropods and utilize extrafloral nectaries for hydration and nutrients. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published biological or ecological data available.
Collops grandis
Collops grandis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Collops belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, a group commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles or malachiid beetles. These beetles are typically found in association with flowers and vegetation, though specific biological details for C. grandis remain limited in available literature.
Collops hirtellus
Hairy Soft-winged Flower Beetle
Collops hirtellus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, first described by LeConte in 1876. It is one of several Collops species recognized as beneficial predators in agricultural systems, particularly in cotton production. The species has been documented in western Canada and is part of a genus known for predatory feeding habits on pest insects.
Collops marginicollis
Collops marginicollis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Collops comprises predatory beetles frequently associated with flowering plants, where they hunt small arthropods. Adults are typically found on vegetation during the growing season. Like other melyrids, they possess soft, flexible elytra that distinguish them from most beetles.
Collops nigriceps
Eastern Coastal Collops
Collops nigriceps is a soft-winged flower beetle (family Melyridae) with a documented preference for flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) in the southwestern United States. The species has been collected in northeastern New Mexico and has been observed in association with other flower-visiting beetles including cerambycids and cantharids. As a member of the genus Collops, it likely functions as a generalist predator in flower-based arthropod communities.
Collops nigritus
Collops nigritus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, subfamily Malachiinae. The genus Collops comprises predatory beetles commonly found on flowers where they feed on other small insects. Members of this genus are recognized as important natural enemies in agricultural systems, particularly in cotton and other crops, where they contribute to biological control of pest populations. Collops nigritus specifically has been documented as occurring in the southwestern United States and is associated with flowering plants in arid and semi-arid habitats.
Collops pulchellus
Collops pulchellus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. Records indicate it has been collected on flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) in shortgrass prairie habitats of Oklahoma and New Mexico. The species appears to be associated with late-season flowering of its host plants, with observations in September and October. Like other members of the genus Collops, adults are likely predatory on small insects visiting the same flowers.
Collops quadriguttatus
Collops quadriguttatus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. Members of the genus Collops are frequently encountered on flowers where they feed on pollen and small arthropods. The specific epithet "quadriguttatus" (meaning "four-spotted") likely refers to a characteristic spotted color pattern on the elytra. Soft-winged flower beetles are generally small, active beetles with soft elytra and are important components of flower-visiting insect communities.
Collops reflexus
Collops reflexus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. Like other members of the genus Collops, it is a predatory beetle found in association with flowering plants. The genus is recognized for its ecological role as a predator of pest insects in agricultural systems, including cotton. Collops reflexus has been documented in field observations on flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) in northeastern New Mexico, where it occurs alongside other flower-visiting beetles.
Collops sp-one-wyo-cf-simplex
Collops sp-one-wyo-cf-simplex is an undescribed or provisionally named species of soft-winged flower beetle in the genus Collops, family Melyridae. It is recognized from Wyoming specimens that resemble C. simplex but require taxonomic confirmation. Members of this genus are generally small, predatory beetles commonly found on vegetation. This entry reflects provisional identification pending formal description.
Collops tibialis
Collops tibialis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. It belongs to the genus Collops, a group of predatory beetles commonly found in North American habitats. The species is documented in entomological collections and has been recorded in citizen science observations, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Collops tricolor
black-headed melyrid, tri-colored soft-winged flower beetle
Collops tricolor is a small soft-winged flower beetle (family Melyridae) measuring 3.5–4 mm in length. Adults exhibit striking tricoloration: black head, undersides, and legs; rufous labrum and polished thorax; and dark bluish-green to violet elytra with variable rufous margins. The species is locally common in eastern North America from Quebec to Virginia, becoming scarcer westward. Males are distinguished from females by shiny elytra and distinctive triangular basal antennal joints that are as broad as long.
Dasytes plumbeus
Dasytes plumbeus is a soft-bodied beetle in the family Melyridae, native to the Palearctic region and introduced to North America. Adults are small, metallic gray to lead-colored beetles with soft elytra characteristic of the family. The species is frequently observed and well-documented, with over 3,000 iNaturalist observations. It belongs to a genus of predatory or pollen-feeding beetles commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles.
Enallonyx sculptilis
Enallonyx sculptilis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Enallonyx is a small group within this diverse family of predatory and pollen-feeding beetles. As with many melyrid species, detailed biological information for this particular species appears to be limited in the available literature.
Endeodes collaris
Endeodes collaris is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, first described by LeConte in 1853. It is known from western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of Melyridae, adults are typically found on flowers where they feed on pollen and small arthropods.
Endeodes insularis
Endeodes insularis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, first described by Blackwelder in 1932. The species belongs to the genus Endeodes, which is part of a family commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles. Very little specific information is available about this particular species beyond its taxonomic placement.
Hypebaeus bicolor
Bicoloured Soft-winged Flower Beetle
Hypebaeus bicolor is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, first described by LeConte in 1852. It is characterized by its distinctive bicolored coloration and is found in western North America. The species belongs to a family known for soft, flexible elytra and flower-visiting habits. Limited specific information is available regarding its biology and ecology.
Listrus gentry
Listrus gentry is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. It is a small beetle, measuring less than 5mm in length. The species has been observed feeding on flowers of Heterotheca stenophylla (stiffleaf false goldenaster) in Oklahoma. Like other members of the genus Listrus, it appears to be associated with asteraceous flowers and is likely a pollen feeder.
Malachius capillicornis
Malachius capillicornis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, described by Abeille de Perrin in 1900. It belongs to the genus Malachius, a group of small, often colorful beetles commonly found on flowers. The species is documented from a limited number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or geographically restricted. As with other members of Malachiinae, it likely exhibits the family's characteristic soft elytra and flower-visiting behavior, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Malachius macer
Malachius macer is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. Described by Horn in 1874, this species belongs to a genus commonly associated with flowers and vegetation. Like other malachiine beetles, adults likely feed on pollen and small insects. The species is recorded from British Columbia, Canada, though detailed biological information remains scarce.
Melyrodes basalis
Red-shouldered Melyrid
Melyrodes basalis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, commonly known as the Red-shouldered Melyrid. The species is documented through 43 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is recognized in citizen science records. Members of the genus Melyrodes are part of the diverse Melyridae family, which are frequently found on flowers where they feed on pollen and small insects.
Melyrodes floridana
Florida Soft-winged Flower Beetle
Melyrodes floridana is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, endemic to Florida. The genus Melyrodes is small and poorly documented, with limited information available on its biology and ecology. This species appears to be rarely encountered, with minimal observational records.
Microlipus laticeps
Microlipus laticeps is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Melyridae, a group commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles. The genus Microlipus is poorly studied, with very limited published information on its biology and distribution. Only a single observation of this species has been documented on iNaturalist, indicating extreme rarity in public records. Melyridae beetles are generally associated with flowers and vegetation where they feed on pollen and small insects.
Nodopus caviceps
Nodopus caviceps is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Nodopus is a small group within this family, characterized by distinctive morphological features. Information on this species is limited, with only four observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the source date. The species epithet 'caviceps' refers to a hollow or concave head structure.
Pseudasydates
Pseudasydates is a genus of soft-bodied plant beetles (family Melyridae) established by Blaisdell in 1938. The genus is considered taxonomically doubtful and poorly documented, with minimal available information about its constituent species. It belongs to the diverse beetle family Melyridae, commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles.
Pseudasydates inyoensis
Pseudasydates inyoensis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The species is known from a single iNaturalist observation, indicating it is likely rare or poorly documented. The genus Pseudasydates is placed within the diverse beetle family Melyridae, whose members are commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles and are often found on flowers and vegetation.
Temnopsophus
Temnopsophus is a genus of soft-winged flower beetles (family Melyridae) described by Horn in 1872. The genus is considered doubtful in current taxonomic databases, indicating uncertainty about its validity or circumscription. Very few observations exist, with only 11 records on iNaturalist. The genus belongs to a family of beetles commonly associated with flowers and vegetation.
Trichochrous aenescens
Trichochrous aenescens is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Trichochrous belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, a group commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles or malachiid beetles. Members of this family are typically found in diverse habitats and are often associated with flowers. The specific epithet "aenescens" refers to a bronze or coppery metallic coloration.
Trichochrous irrasus
Trichochrous irrasus is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Trichochrous belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles. Members of this genus are generally small to medium-sized beetles found in North America. No observations of this species are currently recorded in major biodiversity databases.
Trichochrous varius
Trichochrous varius is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. Members of this family are typically small, often colorful beetles found in vegetation where they feed on pollen and small insects. The genus Trichochrous contains multiple species characterized by their distinctive antennal and elytral features. Like other melyrids, this species likely inhabits flowers and herbaceous vegetation where it functions as both a pollinator and a predator of small arthropods.
Trophimus aeneipennis
Trophimus aeneipennis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Trophimus belongs to a diverse group of beetles commonly known as melyrids or soft-winged flower beetles, characterized by their flexible elytra and often colorful appearance. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species.
Vectura longiceps
Vectura longiceps is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. It is a poorly documented species with only six observations recorded on iNaturalist, suggesting it is either rare, cryptic, or undercollected. The genus Vectura contains species associated with vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions.