Staphylinidae
Guides
Bledius mandibularis
spiny-legged rove beetle
Bledius mandibularis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, characterized by spiny legs typical of its genus. The species was described by Erichson in 1840 and occurs across a broad geographic range spanning North America and the Caribbean. Like other members of the genus Bledius, it is associated with riparian and shoreline habitats.
Bledius pallipennis
Bledius pallipennis is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Oxytelinae, described by Thomas Say in 1823. It belongs to the genus Bledius, a diverse group of beetles commonly associated with moist, sandy, or muddy habitats. The species is distributed across the central and eastern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with riparian or shoreline environments.
Bledius semiferrugineus
Bledius semiferrugineus is a rove beetle in the tribe Blediini, characterized by its semiferrugineous (half rusty-brown) coloration. The species occurs across eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States, with records extending to Cuba. Like other members of Bledius, it is associated with moist habitats, particularly shorelines and wetland margins. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863.
Bledius zophus
Bledius zophus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Herman in 1983. It belongs to the genus Bledius, a diverse group of small to medium-sized staphylinids often associated with moist or riparian habitats. The species is known from western North America, with records from the Pacific Northwest and adjacent regions. Like other members of Bledius, it likely inhabits shoreline or wetland environments where it may prey on small invertebrates or scavenge organic matter.
Bobitobus kelleyi
Bobitobus kelleyi is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Mycetoporinae. It is widely distributed across northern North America, with records from numerous Canadian provinces and U.S. states. The species was described by Malkin in 1944 and belongs to a genus within one of the largest families of beetles.
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.
Boreaphilus henningianus
Boreaphilus henningianus is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) with a Holarctic distribution spanning northern Eurasia and North America. The species is associated with cold, northern habitats and has been recorded from boreal and subarctic regions. It belongs to the tribe Coryphiini within the subfamily Omaliinae.
Brachygluta
ant-loving beetles
Brachygluta is a genus of ant-loving beetles (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) containing over 80 described species. These small rove beetles are specialist predators of mites. The Nearctic fauna has been revised, with 29 species recognized in North America.
Brachygluta luniger
Brachygluta luniger is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. The species has been recorded from eastern North America, with distribution records spanning from Canada to the southeastern United States. As with other members of the genus Brachygluta, it is a poorly known species with limited published biological information. The genus belongs to the diverse rove beetle fauna, one of the largest families of beetles.
Brachygluta ulkei
Brachygluta ulkei is a small rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of minute beetles often associated with leaf litter and soil habitats. The species was described by Brendel in 1866 and occurs in the eastern United States. Like other pselaphines, it is likely a predator or scavenger in microarthropod communities, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Brachygluta wickhami
Brachygluta wickhami is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It was described as a new species by Bückle in 2015 as part of a comprehensive revision of North American Brachygluta. The species is one of twelve new Brachygluta species described in that monograph. Like other members of this genus, it is a small, presumably litter-dwelling beetle with reduced elytra typical of the subfamily Pselaphinae.
Brathinus
Brathinus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, distributed across North America and East Asia (Japan, China). The genus is distinguished from typical staphylinids by its unusually long elytra that cover nearly the entire abdomen, rather than leaving most abdominal segments exposed. Six species are currently recognized, with three described from North America and three from Japan. The genus was established by LeConte in 1852.
Brathinus nitidus
ocellate rove beetle
Brathinus nitidus is a small rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, described by J.L. LeConte in 1852. It belongs to the subfamily Omaliinae and is characterized by the presence of ocelli—simple eyes in addition to the compound eyes—hence its common name 'ocellate rove beetle'. The species is native to eastern North America, with documented occurrences in both the United States and Canada.
Brathinus varicornis
Brathinus varicornis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Omaliinae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. The species occurs in northeastern North America, with records from Canada and the northeastern United States. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only two records in iNaturalist as of the data cutoff.
Bryophacis
Bryophacis is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Mycetoporinae) established by Reitter in 1909. The genus occurs in both the Palearctic and Nearctic regions, with documented species in Europe and North America. North American species were revised taxonomically in 1993, resulting in the description of new species and generic reassignments from related genera.
Bryophacis smetanai
Bryophacis smetanai is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Mycetoporinae) described by Campbell in 1993 as part of a comprehensive taxonomic revision of North American Bryophacis. It belongs to the tribe Bolitobiini, a group of mycophagous staphylinids associated with fungal substrates. The species was established based on morphological examination of specimens from across northern North America.
Bryoporus
Bryoporus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae: Bolitobiini) established by Kraatz in 1857. The genus has an almost cosmopolitan distribution with records from Europe, North America, and other regions. Taxonomic revisions have clarified its relationship to related genera Bryophacis, Bolitopunctus, and Neobolitobius, particularly for North American species. The genus includes multiple species, with Bryoporus cernuus (Gravenhorst, 1806) being a representative species.
Bryoporus testaceus
Bryoporus testaceus is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Mycetoporinae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. The species exhibits the characteristic abbreviated elytra typical of rove beetles, leaving most of the abdomen exposed. It has been recorded across a broad geographic range in North America, from eastern Canada through the eastern and central United States. Specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Caccoplectus
Caccoplectus is a genus of myrmecophilous (ant-loving) rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus was established by Sharp in 1887 and contains approximately nine described species. These beetles are associated with ant colonies, a common ecological strategy among pselaphine beetles. Most species have been described from the Neotropical region, particularly Central America.
myrmecophileant-associatedpselaphinerove-beetleNeotropicalStaphylinidaePselaphinaeArhytodinitropicalant-colony-inhabitantinquilinemicrohabitat-specialistleaf-littersoil-dwellingcrypticrarely-collectedsmall-beetlemorphologically-specialized1887-descriptionSharpCentral-AmericaPanamaColeopteraPolyphagaStaphyliniformiaStaphylinoideaPselaphitaegenus-levelnine-speciesconicusdegallierilucidusnuttingipectinatusschwarzisentisspinipessucineasspine-legged-pselaphidChandlerWoldaSchaeffer190619761986type-species-unknownrarely-observediNaturalist:-2-observationsCatalogue-of-Life-acceptedGBIF-acceptedNCBI-acceptedEukaryotaMetazoaHexapodaInsectaArthropodaAnimaliabeetleinsectarthropodanimalCafius
coastal rove beetles
Cafius is a genus of relatively large rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, comprising approximately 8 described species in North America and approaching 50 globally. The genus originated in the early Miocene (ca. 17.91 Ma) along the coasts of Europe and Australia, with subsequent diversification driven by transoceanic dispersal via ocean surface currents. Species are obligate inhabitants of coastal marine environments, particularly sandy intertidal zones. The genus is notable for its global distribution across temperate and tropical coastlines and its biological adaptations to saline, dynamic shoreline habitats.
Cafius aguayoi
Cafius aguayoi is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Bierig in 1934. The species belongs to the genus Cafius, a group associated with coastal and intertidal habitats. Documented occurrences are limited to the northeastern United States.
Cafius bistriatus
Cafius bistriatus is a relatively large rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, reaching up to 7 mm in length. The species exhibits a transcontinental distribution in the Americas, occurring along both Atlantic and Pacific coastlines from Canada to northern South America, with extensive Caribbean island records. Two subspecies are recognized: C. b. bistriatus (Atlantic and Gulf coasts, Caribbean) and C. b. fulgens (Pacific coasts including the Gulf of California and Salton Sea).
Cafius femoralis
Cafius femoralis is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, originally described from the North Pacific region. GBIF records indicate this name is currently treated as a synonym of Cafius mutatus. The species has documented distribution records along the western coast of North America from Alaska to California, with additional records from British Columbia and Oregon.
Cafius lithocharinus
Cafius lithocharinus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, tribe Staphylinini, subtribe Philonthina. Originally described as Philonthus lithocharinus by LeConte in 1863, it was later transferred to the genus Cafius. The species occurs along the Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia to Mexico. It is one of approximately 35 species in the genus Cafius, a group predominantly associated with marine and intertidal habitats.
Cafius luteipennis
Cafius luteipennis is a large rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Horn in 1884. The species occurs along the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from British Columbia south to Baja California. As a member of the Philonthina subtribe, it belongs to a group of predatory rove beetles commonly associated with coastal and riparian habitats.
Cafius seminitens
Cafius seminitens is a large rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1884. It occurs in western North America, ranging from British Columbia through California and Oregon to Washington, with records extending to Mexico. The species belongs to the subtribe Philonthina, a group of predatory rove beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter.
Callicerus obscurus
Callicerus obscurus is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Geostibini) described by Gravenhorst in 1802. The species has a Palearctic distribution centered in Europe, with records from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, France, Great Britain, Georgia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as central European Russia. It has been introduced to Ontario, Canada. The species is known from 27 iNaturalist observations but lacks detailed published biological studies.
Calodera
Calodera is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1830. It contains at least seven described species and has a cosmopolitan distribution. Members belong to the subfamily Aleocharinae, tribe Oxypodini, and are characterized by the typical short elytra and flexible abdomen of staphylinid beetles.
Calodera parviceps
Calodera parviceps is a species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae. First described by Casey in 1893, this small beetle is distributed across northern North America including Canada and Alaska. It belongs to the tribe Oxypodini, a group of aleocharine rove beetles. The species epithet "parviceps" (small head) likely refers to a distinguishing morphological feature.
Carcinocephalus flavidus
winter rove beetle
Carcinocephalus flavidus, known as the winter rove beetle, is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is notable for its unusual winter activity period and distinct wing dimorphism between sexes. The species was originally described as Omalium flavidum by Hamilton in 1895. It occurs in northeastern North America, where it has been observed on snow during winter months.
Carpelimus
spiny-legged rove beetles
Carpelimus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) containing at least 100 described species. Members are commonly referred to as spiny-legged rove beetles. The genus has a broad distribution spanning the Palearctic, Oriental, and other regions, with recent records documenting range extensions in Southeast Asia and South Asia. At least one species, Carpelimus rivularis, has been documented as a host for phoretic mites (Pygmephoridae).
Carpelimus aridus
Carpelimus aridus is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) described by Jacquelin du Val in 1857. The species is distributed across the Caribbean region, with records from Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands, as well as parts of mainland Central America including Mexico and Guatemala. As a member of the spiny-legged rove beetle subfamily Oxytelinae, it belongs to a group characterized by modified legs and association with riparian or moist habitats.
Carpelimus dentiger
Carpelimus dentiger is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Oxytelinae. It is known from the southwestern United States (Arizona and New Mexico). As a member of Carpelimus, it likely inhabits moist, organic-rich environments near water or in decomposing materials, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Carpelimus gracilis
Carpelimus gracilis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Oxytelinae. The species is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America, with established populations in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It has been recorded across a broad Palearctic range extending from Western Europe through Russia and into Central Asia, as well as North Africa and the Middle East.
Carpelimus obliquus
Carpelimus obliquus is a species of spiny-legged rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is native to North America, with records from California. The species was described by Thomas Casey in 1889 and is currently accepted under this name.
Carpelimus probus
spiny-legged rove beetle
Carpelimus probus is a species of spiny-legged rove beetle described by Casey in 1889. It belongs to the large family Staphylinidae, which comprises over 60,000 described species of rove beetles. The species is documented from limited localities in eastern North America.
Carpelimus vancouverensis
spiny-legged rove beetle
Carpelimus vancouverensis is a species of spiny-legged rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Hatch in 1957. It belongs to a genus characterized by modified hind legs with spiny or setose structures. The species is known from the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Carphacis dimidiatus
Carphacis dimidiatus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Mycetoporinae. The species was described by Erichson in 1839 and is currently accepted as valid. It is distributed across the eastern and central United States, with records from 16 states ranging from the Mid-Atlantic to the Midwest and Southeast.
Carphacis effrenatus
Carphacis effrenatus is a species of rove beetle described by Herman in 2001. It belongs to the subfamily Mycetoporinae within the family Staphylinidae. The species has been recorded across eastern North America from Canada to the southeastern United States.
Catalinus angustus
Catalinus angustus is a species of minute rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae. These beetles are among the smallest staphylinids, typically associated with leaf litter and decaying organic matter in forested habitats. The genus Catalinus belongs to the tribe Stenichnini, a group characterized by their small size and specialized ecological roles in decomposition systems. Records indicate this species occurs in California, USA.
Ceophyllus
Ceophyllus is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by LeConte in 1849. The genus contains a single described species, C. monilis. These beetles belong to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles often associated with ant colonies.
Cephenniini
Cephenniini is a tribe of minute rove beetles within the subfamily Scydmaeninae (Staphylinidae). The tribe was first described by Reitter in 1882 and contains the genera Cephennodes and Cephennomicrus. These beetles are distributed across the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Australasian regions, with records from Africa, Madagascar, Indian Ocean islands, Southeast Asia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and Pacific islands. Recent taxonomic work has documented first records in South Africa, Christmas Island, and the Philippines.
Cephennium
Cephennium is a genus of minute rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae, first described by Müller and Kunze in 1822. The genus is predominantly western European in distribution but has been recorded across Europe, Northern America, the Middle East, and as far east as Kyrgyzstan. Recent taxonomic work has revealed substantial undescribed diversity, particularly in Turkey where 25 named species are now recognized. The genus has been introduced to North America via port cities, with C. gallicum documented from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Cephennium aridum
Cephennium aridum is a species of minute rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae. It was described in 2009 from California and is distinguished by its association with arid habitats. The specific epithet "aridum" refers to the dry conditions of its type locality. Members of this genus are among the smallest beetles, often less than 2 mm in length.
Cephennodes corporosus
Cephennodes corporosus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae. Originally described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852 under the genus Sphex (a wasp genus), this species has since been reclassified to the beetle genus Cephennodes. It belongs to a group of minute rove beetles, with most members of this subfamily measuring less than 2 mm in length. The species is known from scattered records in the eastern and central United States.
Charhyphus
Charhyphus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Sharp in 1887. The genus contains five described species, all restricted to North America. Species range from the southwestern United States (Arizona) to broader distributions across the continent. The genus is part of the megadiverse rove beetle family, though specific ecological and behavioral traits remain poorly documented.
Charhyphus arizonensis
A small rove beetle species in the subfamily Phloeocharinae, described from Arizona in 1972. Like other members of Staphylinidae, it exhibits the characteristic short elytra that leave much of the abdomen exposed. The genus Charhyphus contains few described species, and C. arizonensis appears restricted to the southwestern United States.
Chevrolatia amoena
Chevrolatia amoena is a species of minute rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. It belongs to the tribe Chevrolatiini, a group of small beetles often referred to as ant-like stone beetles due to their compact form and behavior. The genus Chevrolatia is named after the French entomologist Louis Alexandre Auguste Chevrolat.
Cilea
Cilea is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae: Vatesini) established by Jacquelin du Val in 1856. The genus has been taxonomically confused with Leucoparyphus Kraatz, and its priority over that name has been established. In North America north of Mexico, only Cilea silphoides (Linnaeus) is present. The genus is distinguished from the related genus Coproporus by morphological characters including male genitalia structure.
Cilea silphoides
Cilea silphoides is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae) originally described by Linnaeus in 1767 as Staphylinus silphoides. It is the sole species of the genus Cilea treated in the 1975 North American revision by Campbell and Davies, which provided detailed morphological descriptions, distribution mapping, and male genitalia illustrations. The species has been taxonomically confused with related genera, and its name has undergone clarification regarding generic priority. It is distinguished from the related genus Coproporus by structural features of the male genitalia and external morphology.