Staphylinidae
Guides
Pachystilicus hanhami
Pachystilicus hanhami is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Paederinae. It is known from scattered localities across North America, with records from Canada and the United States. The genus Pachystilicus belongs to the tribe Lathrobiini, a diverse group of small to medium-sized rove beetles. Very little is known about the specific biology of this species.
Paederinae
Tomcat
Paederinae is a subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing three tribes: Lathrobiini, Paederini, and Pinophilini. The subfamily is notable for containing the genus Paederus and related genera that produce pederin, a potent vesicant toxin in their haemolymph that causes Paederus dermatitis in humans. The subfamily exhibits diverse ecological adaptations including myrmecophily, troglobitic cave-dwelling, and intertidal lifestyles. Over 36 genera and 436 species occur in North America alone, with global distribution across multiple biogeographic regions.
Paederus grandis
Paederus grandis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Austin in 1877. The species was previously known as Paederus lecontei until Swift and Ray (2010) synonymized the two names under the older epithet grandis. It is recorded from the southwestern United States (Arizona, California) and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Paederus, it likely possesses defensive chemistry, though specific studies on this species are lacking.
Paederus iowensis
Iowa Tomcat Rove Beetle
Paederus iowensis is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, commonly known as the Iowa Tomcat Rove Beetle. Like other members of the genus Paederus, it possesses specialized defensive glands containing pederin, a potent vesicant compound that can cause dermatitis upon contact with human skin. The species is native to the midwestern and northeastern United States and adjacent Canada.
Paederus littorarius
Shore Rove Beetle
Paederus littorarius is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, commonly known as the Shore Rove Beetle. Like other members of the genus Paederus, this species produces pederin, a toxic compound in its hemolymph that can cause dermatitis and blistering on human skin upon contact. The species is widely distributed across northern North America.
Paederus mexicanus
Paederus mexicanus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Erichson in 1840. The genus Paederus is notable for containing species that produce pederin, a potent vesicant compound in their hemolymph that causes dermatitis and blistering on human skin upon contact. As a member of the Paederus genus, this species likely shares this defensive chemical trait, though species-specific documentation is limited. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Paederus obliteratus
Paederus obliteratus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1878. It is one of many Paederus species known for containing pederin, a toxic compound in their hemolymph that can cause dermatitis and blistering when contacting human skin. The species occurs across eastern and southern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is a predatory beetle found in various terrestrial habitats.
Palaminus
Palaminus is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) containing approximately 16 described species. The genus was established by Erichson in 1839 and belongs to the subfamily Paederinae, tribe Pinophilini. Rove beetles in this genus exhibit the characteristic elongated body and short elytra typical of Staphylinidae.
Palaminus testaceus
Palaminus testaceus is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) described by Erichson in 1840. It belongs to the subfamily Paederinae, a diverse group of rove beetles often associated with decaying organic matter and moist habitats. The species is recorded from multiple states across the eastern and central United States.
Palporus nitidulus
Palporus nitidulus is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Tachyporinae. The species has a broad native distribution across Europe, North Africa, and Asia, and has been introduced to multiple regions including North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. Its wide geographic spread and establishment across diverse climates suggest ecological adaptability. The species is frequently observed and relatively well-documented for a staphylinid beetle.
Papusus
Papusus is a genus of minute rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae, tribe Papusini. The genus was described by Casey in 1897 and is the sole member of its tribe. These beetles are among the smallest staphylinids and are associated with forest floor habitats. The genus is rarely encountered, with extremely limited observational records.
Paraquedius
Paraquedius is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by Casey in 1915. It has been treated historically as a subgenus of Quedius, and taxonomic sources differ in its current rank (genus versus subgenus). The genus is part of the diverse tribe Staphylinini, one of the largest lineages of rove beetles. Records in iNaturalist are sparse, with only six observations documented.
Paraquedius marginicollis
Paraquedius marginicollis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Brunke in 2022. The genus Paraquedius belongs to the diverse rove beetle lineage, characterized by their shortened elytra that expose most of the abdomen. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited. It is known from a small number of observations, suggesting it may be relatively uncommon or undercollected.
Parocyusa
Parocyusa is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. The genus was established by Bernhauer in 1902 and contains at least one described species, Parocyusa americana. Members are found in Europe and North America.
Parothius californicus
California Rove Beetle
Parothius californicus is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, originally described as Othius californicus by Mannerheim in 1843. It is a member of the tribe Othiini within the subfamily Staphylininae. The species is found in western North America, with records from California, Oregon, and Washington in the United States, and British Columbia in Canada. It is one of relatively few documented species in the genus Parothius.
Pelecomalium
Pelecomalium is a genus of ocellate rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) established by Casey in 1886. The genus belongs to the subfamily Omaliinae and tribe Anthophagini. At least three species have been described: P. laevicolle, P. puberulum, and P. testaceum. Members of this genus possess ocelli, a characteristic feature distinguishing them within the rove beetles.
Pella
Pella is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae, tribe Lomechusini. These beetles are myrmecophilous, meaning they live in association with ants. The genus was established by Stephens in 1833 and contains species that are adapted to life within ant colonies, where they exploit resources and protection provided by their hosts.
Pella angustula
Pella angustula is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Thomas L. Casey in 1893. It is recorded from North America, specifically from Florida in the United States. The species belongs to the subfamily Aleocharinae, a large and diverse group of rove beetles.
Pella schmitti
Pella schmitti is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, and tribe Lomechusini. It was described by Hamilton in 1895. The species is documented from eastern North America, with records from Canada (Ontario and Quebec) and the United States (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania). Like other members of the genus Pella, it is likely associated with ant colonies, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Phacophallus
Phacophallus is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) established by Coiffait in 1956. The genus contains approximately 28 recognized species with an almost cosmopolitan distribution, found across multiple continents. As a member of the tribe Xantholinini within the subfamily Staphylininae, these beetles share the characteristic short elytra and elongated body form typical of rove beetles. Records indicate presence in northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Phacophallus pallidipennis
Pale-winged Rove Beetle
A rove beetle (Staphylinidae) with broad native distribution across Asia and introduced populations in Europe, North America, Australia, and various oceanic islands. The species has been transported widely through human activity, with established populations documented from the Canary Islands to Hawaii.
Phanerota
Phanerota is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) comprising five described species. The genus was established by Casey in 1906 and belongs to the tribe Homalotini within the subfamily Aleocharinae. Species in this genus are distributed across North America and the Caribbean, with records from the United States, Cuba, and Canada.
Phanerota fasciata
Phanerota fasciata is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. The species is notable for its specialized microhabitat association: both larvae and adults inhabit the gill tissue of mushrooms. This obligate mycophilous lifestyle represents a relatively uncommon ecological specialization among staphylinid beetles. The species is broadly distributed across eastern and central North America, with records extending from southern Canada to the southern United States.
Philhygra clemens
Philhygra clemens is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, originally described by Casey in 1910. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Atheta clemens in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing revisions within the large and taxonomically complex genus Atheta and its related genera. It is a small beetle with distribution records across northern North America.
Philhygra palustris
Philhygra palustris is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) originally described by Kiesenwetter in 1844. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Atheta palustris in some taxonomic databases, though it retains the genus Philhygra in other treatments. It belongs to a large genus of small to medium-sized staphylinids associated with moist habitats.
Philonthus
Philonthus is a large genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing over 380 described species. These beetles are generally robust predators found in diverse habitats including decomposing organic matter, carrion, dung, and fungal substrates. The genus has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution with particular diversity in the Palaearctic region. Several species have been documented as rapidly colonizing new habitats and competing with native species.
Philonthus asper
Philonthus asper is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1884. It belongs to the large genus Philonthus, which comprises numerous predatory species commonly found in decaying organic matter, carrion, and fungal habitats. The species is documented from eastern North America, with records spanning Canada and the eastern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a predator of small invertebrates in microhabitats rich in decomposing material.
Philonthus aurulentus
Philonthus aurulentus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Horn in 1884. The specific epithet 'aurulentus' suggests a golden or gold-colored appearance. The species occurs in western North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan, and from the western United States including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Like other members of the genus Philonthus, it is likely a predatory beetle associated with decaying organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Philonthus boreas
Philonthus boreas is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Smetana in 1995. It belongs to a large genus of predatory beetles commonly found in diverse habitats including carrion, fungi, and decaying organic matter. The species has a transcontinental distribution across northern North America.
Philonthus caeruleipennis
Blue-winged Rove Beetle
A medium-sized rove beetle with striking metallic blue-green elytra contrasting against a black body. It is predatory, hunting other insects in fungal and decaying organic matter habitats. The species occurs across northern North America and parts of Eurasia.
Philonthus carbonarius
Philonthus carbonarius is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) native to the Palearctic region, introduced to North America. It is a predatory species associated with decaying organic matter, including carrion and fungi. The species was first documented in North America in the late 20th century and has since established populations across Canada and the United States.
Philonthus caucasicus
Philonthus caucasicus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Nordmann in 1837. The species is native to the Caucasus region and broader Eurasia, with established introduced populations in North America. As a member of the large genus Philonthus, it shares the characteristic shortened elytra and predatory habits typical of staphylinid beetles.
Philonthus cautus
Philonthus cautus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Erichson in 1840. As a member of the large genus Philonthus, it shares the characteristic shortened elytra and predatory habits typical of staphylinid beetles. The species is known from the southeastern United States, with records from Alabama through Texas and north to Maryland and Virginia. Like other Philonthus species, it likely inhabits decaying organic matter where it preys on other small invertebrates.
Philonthus concinnus
Philonthus concinnus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Gravenhorst in 1802. The genus Philonthus is a large and diverse group of predatory rove beetles, though specific ecological details for P. concinnus remain poorly documented in available sources. The species has a broad distribution spanning Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of East Asia, and has been introduced to North America where it is now established in Canada and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be predatory, but direct observations of its biology are sparse.
Philonthus debilis
Philonthus debilis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. As a member of the genus Philonthus, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory beetles commonly associated with carrion, dung, and other decomposing organic matter. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning the Palearctic region and has been introduced to North America. Like other Philonthus species, it likely plays a role in carrion succession as a predator on fly larvae and other small insects.
Philonthus discoideus
Disk-shaped Rove Beetle
Philonthus discoideus is a predatory rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, widespread across multiple continents including native Palearctic distribution and introduced ranges in the Americas, Australasia, and Pacific islands. The species has been observed in carrion-associated habitats and exhibits typical staphylinid morphology with shortened elytra exposing most of the abdomen. Its broad distribution suggests ecological adaptability, though specific behavioral and life history details remain poorly documented in published sources.
Philonthus flumineus
Philonthus flumineus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Casey in 1915. The species epithet 'flumineus' (Latin for 'of rivers') suggests an association with riparian or streamside habitats. As a member of the large genus Philonthus, it shares the characteristic shortened elytra and predatory habits typical of this group. Available distribution records indicate a broad North American range across eastern Canada and much of the United States.
Philonthus gentilis
Philonthus gentilis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1884. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Philonthus, which contains numerous predatory species associated with various habitats including decaying organic matter, fungi, and carrion. The species has been documented from the southwestern United States and Mexico, with records from Arizona and Texas. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be predatory, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Philonthus gopheri
Gopher Tortoise Rove Beetle
Philonthus gopheri is a species of rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) described by Hubbard in 1894. It is commonly known as the Gopher Tortoise Rove Beetle due to its documented association with gopher tortoise burrows. The species is known from Florida, USA, and like other members of the genus Philonthus, it is likely predatory. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases.
Philonthus gracilior
Philonthus gracilior is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Casey in 1915. It is a member of the large genus Philonthus, which contains numerous predatory species associated with decaying organic matter. The species is recorded from both Canada and the United States, with a transcontinental distribution across northern and central regions of North America.
Philonthus hepaticus
Philonthus hepaticus is a large rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Erichson in 1840. It is one of the larger species within the genus Philonthus. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, with records from Canada through Argentina and the Caribbean, and has been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. In Canada, it was first documented in British Columbia, with a second record from New Brunswick representing the first eastern Canadian occurrence.
Philonthus jurgans
Philonthus jurgans is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Tottenham in 1937. The species has been documented across Europe, Russia, Turkey, and Japan, and has been introduced to North America where it occurs in Canada and the United States. It was recently recorded as a new and adventive species in the Republic of Moldova, found in a grapevine plantation. As a member of the genus Philonthus, it likely shares the predatory habits common to this group of rove beetles.
Philonthus lomatus
Philonthus lomatus is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Erichson in 1840. It belongs to the large genus Philonthus, which contains numerous predatory species commonly associated with decaying organic matter. The species has a broad transcontinental distribution across North America, with records from Canada and throughout much of the United States.
Philonthus neonatus
Philonthus neonatus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Smetana in 1965. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Philonthus, which contains numerous predatory species commonly associated with decaying organic matter, fungi, and other insects. The species is documented from eastern North America, with records spanning Canada and the eastern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely predatory, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Philonthus nudus
Philonthus nudus is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Sharp in 1874. It belongs to the large genus Philonthus, which contains numerous predatory species associated with various habitats including carrion, fungi, and decaying organic matter. The species has a documented distribution across the Holarctic region, including parts of East Asia and western North America.
Philonthus politus
Philonthus politus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is a small, predatory beetle approximately 10 mm in length. The species has been documented in association with carrion, where it feeds on fly maggots and other small insects. It occurs in North America and has been recorded from the Azores islands (Faial, Pico, São Jorge, São Miguel, Santa Maria). The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758.
Philonthus quadricollis
Philonthus quadricollis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1884. It belongs to a large genus of predatory beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter and carrion. The species has a broad transcontinental distribution across North America, with records from Canada and much of the United States.
Philonthus rectangulus
Philonthus rectangulus is a rove beetle species described by Sharp in 1874. It belongs to the large genus Philonthus within the family Staphylinidae. The species has been documented in southern South America, the Republic of Moldova, and parts of Europe including the Azores islands and the Balkans. As a member of the rove beetle family, it likely exhibits the characteristic shortened elytra and predatory habits typical of the group, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Philonthus rufulus
Philonthus rufulus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1884. It belongs to the large genus Philonthus, which contains numerous species of predatory beetles commonly found in diverse habitats. The species has a broad distribution across North America, extending from Canada through the United States to Mexico and parts of the Caribbean. Like other members of its genus, it likely exhibits predatory behavior, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Philonthus sanguinolentus
A medium-sized rove beetle in the genus Philonthus, characterized by dark coloration with reddish or blood-red markings that give the species its name. Like other members of Staphylinidae, it exhibits the family's distinctive short elytra that leave much of the abdomen exposed. The species has a Palearctic native distribution but has been introduced to North America, where it is established in the Pacific Northwest and parts of Canada.