Staphylinidae
Guides
Clavilispinus rufescens
unmargined rove beetle
Clavilispinus rufescens is a species of unmargined rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is distributed across the southeastern United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Brazil. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. As a member of the Osoriinae subfamily, it belongs to a group of small, typically soil-dwelling rove beetles with reduced or absent elytral margins.
Coenonica puncticollis
Coenonica puncticollis is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae. Originally described from Madagascar in 1857, this species has been introduced to multiple regions worldwide and is now established in Australia, New Zealand, parts of Europe, Egypt, the United States (Florida), and various Caribbean and South American localities. Its native range encompasses the Oriental region, Ryukyu Islands, New Guinea, Tahiti, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, and the Seychelles. The species belongs to the tribe Homalotini within the diverse aleocharine rove beetles.
Colusa
Colusa is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae, established by Thomas L. Casey in 1885. The genus belongs to the tribe Oxypodini and is part of the diverse and species-rich rove beetle family, which is characterized by abbreviated elytra that expose most of the abdomen. Little is known about the biology or species diversity of this genus.
Conoplectus
Conoplectus is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Brendel in 1888. The genus contains five described species, all described or redescribed by Carlton in 1983 except for C. canaliculatus, which was originally described by LeConte in 1849. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles commonly associated with ants and other social insects.
Conoplectus canaliculatus
Conoplectus canaliculatus is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, specifically within the subfamily Pselaphinae. It is one of many species commonly referred to as "ant-loving beetles" due to their ecological association with ant colonies. The species was first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1849 and has a broad distribution across eastern and central North America, with records from Canada and much of the eastern and central United States.
Coprophilus striatulus
Coprophilus striatulus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, characterized by its elongated body and reduced elytra typical of the family. The species is native to Europe and parts of Northern Asia, and has been introduced to eastern North America. It belongs to the spiny-legged rove beetle group, referring to modifications of the hind legs in males.
Coproporus
Coproporus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Tachyporinae, tribe Vatesini. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with records from North America, Europe, and South America. Taxonomic revision has clarified confused generic usage and resolved synonymies, particularly distinguishing Coproporus from the related genus Cilea. Nine species occur in North America north of Mexico, with additional species documented from Mexico, Panama, Argentina, and Brazil.
Coproporus pulchellus
Coproporus pulchellus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, originally described by Erichson in 1839 under the basionym Tachinus pulchellus. It belongs to the subfamily Tachyporinae and tribe Vatesini. The species has been recorded from several islands in the Azores archipelago (Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge).
Creophilus
hairy rove beetle
Creophilus is a genus of large rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing some of the largest species in the family, reaching up to 30 mm in length. The genus includes approximately 12 described species distributed globally, with C. maxillosus being the most widely studied due to its forensic significance. Species in this genus are strongly associated with carrion habitats where they function as predators of fly larvae. The genus was revised in 2011, with two new species described and several synonymizations.
Ctenisis
Ctenisis is a genus of myrmecophilous rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus was established by Raffray in 1890 and contains at least two described species: C. raffrayi (Casey, 1894) and C. phylanderi (Chandler, 2003). Members of this genus are classified within the tribe Ctenistini and are known for their association with ant colonies.
Ctenisodes
Ctenisodes is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Raffray in 1897. The genus belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles commonly associated with ant colonies. Approximately 14 species have been described. These beetles are part of the tribe Ctenistini within the supertribe Pselaphitae.
Ctenistini
ant-loving beetles
Ctenistini is a tribe of minute ant-loving beetles in the rove beetle family Staphylinidae, specifically within the subfamily Pselaphinae. The tribe was established by Blanchard in 1845 with Ctenistes as the type genus. It comprises at least five genera and approximately six described species, though the group remains poorly studied.
Custotychus
Custotychus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Pselaphinae, tribe Tychini. The genus was established by Park and Wagner in 1962. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with forest floor habitats. The genus is rarely encountered, with only four observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the source data.
Cyparium ater
Cyparium ater is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scaphidiinae. Described by Casey in 1900, this species is currently treated as a synonym of Cyparium atrum. The genus Cyparium belongs to the tribe Cypariini within the scaphidiine rove beetles. Very little is known about the biology or ecology of this species.
Cyparium concolor
Cyparium concolor is a rove beetle in the subfamily Scaphidiinae, a group commonly known as shining fungus beetles. The species was described by Fabricius in 1801 and is native to eastern North America. Scaphidiine beetles are generally associated with fungal substrates, though specific ecological details for C. concolor remain limited.
Cypha
Cypha is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by Leach in 1819. The genus contains multiple described species and has an almost cosmopolitan distribution. As members of the subfamily Aleocharinae and tribe Hypocyphtini, these beetles are part of one of the most species-rich lineages of rove beetles. The genus is distinguished from related taxa by specific morphological characters of the mouthparts and genitalia.
Cyphea
Cyphea is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, and tribe Homalotini. It was described by Fauvel in 1863. The genus contains at least one described species, Cyphea curtula. Members of this genus are found in Europe and North America.
Cyrtoquedius
Cyrtoquedius is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Bernhauer in 1917. It belongs to the subtribe Cyrtoquediina within the tribe Staphylinini. The genus contains relatively few described species and is poorly represented in scientific literature. Available records indicate limited observational data, with only 26 documented observations on iNaturalist.
Cyrtoquedius verres
Cyrtoquedius verres is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Smetana in 1971. It belongs to the subtribe Cyrtoquediina within the tribe Staphylinini. The species is documented from multiple U.S. states and Mexico, indicating a broad distribution across the southeastern and south-central United States and adjacent Mexico. As a member of Staphylinidae, it possesses the characteristic short elytra that leave most of the abdomen exposed.
Dacnochilus angularis
Dacnochilus angularis is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Paederinae) described by Erichson in 1840. It belongs to the tribe Lathrobiini within the diverse rove beetle assemblage. The species has been recorded from the southern United States through Central America, with confirmed occurrences in Alabama, Texas, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Records from Colombia and Venezuela appear to be erroneous. Like other members of Staphylinidae, this species exhibits the characteristic shortened elytra that leave most of the abdomen exposed.
Dadobiina
Dadobiina is a subtribe of rove beetles within the family Staphylinidae, established by Muona in 1979. It is classified within the tribe Athetini and subtribe Athetina of the subfamily Aleocharinae. The subtribe is currently treated as a synonym in the Catalogue of Life. Dadobiina represents a historical taxonomic grouping within the diverse and species-rich aleocharine rove beetles.
Dalmosella tenuis
Dalmosella tenuis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It is a small beetle belonging to the tribe Trichonychini within the diverse Pselaphinae, a group known for their compact bodies and reduced elytra. The species was described by Thomas L. Casey in 1897 and occurs across eastern North America.
StaphylinidaePselaphinaerove-beetleNorth-AmericaCasey-1897TrichonychiniDalmosellaColeopterabeetleinsectarthropodAnimaliaInsectaPolyphagaStaphyliniformiaStaphylinoideaEuplectitaeTrimiinaNew-BrunswickAlabamaDistrict-of-ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMaineMississippiNorth-CarolinaNew-HampshireNew-JerseyOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaTennesseeVirginiaUSACanadaeastern-North-AmericaDasycerinae
Dasycerinae is a small subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing one extant genus (Dasycerus) and three extinct genera. These beetles are characterized by their compact body form with elytra that cover or nearly cover the abdomen, unlike the typically abbreviated elytra of most rove beetles. The subfamily is notable for its relictual distribution and association with moist forest habitats.
Dasycerus angulicollis
Dasycerus angulicollis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1882. It belongs to the subfamily Dasycerinae, a small and morphologically distinctive group within the rove beetles. The species is known from California, USA, with limited published information available regarding its biology and ecology. Members of the genus Dasycerus are characterized by their unusual body form among staphylinids.
Dasycerus carolinensis
Dasycerus carolinensis is a flightless rove beetle endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America. Phylogeographic studies reveal deep genetic divergence between populations east and west of the French Broad River, with divergence estimated at approximately 5.8 million years ago. The species inhabits forest leaf litter and shows evidence of cryptic differentiation across its range. Despite being flightless, it has persisted across both old-growth forest fragments and secondary growth forests.
Dasycerus unicoi
Dasycerus unicoi is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Dasycerinae, a small group of beetles characterized by their distinctive compact, rounded body form that differs markedly from the typically elongate shape of most staphylinids. The species epithet 'unicoi' references the Unicoi Mountains, part of the southern Appalachian range in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. This beetle is associated with high-elevation forest habitats in the Great Smoky Mountains region.
Dasygnypeta
Dasygnypeta is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, and tribe Tachyusini. It was described by Lohse in 1974. The genus is known from Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. A single species, Dasygnypeta velata, has been described.
Decarthron discolor
ant-loving beetle
Decarthron discolor is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, specifically within the ant-associated subfamily Pselaphinae. The species was described by Brendel in 1890 and is recorded from the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is classified as an "ant-loving beetle" due to its ecological association with ant colonies.
Decusa expansa
Decusa expansa is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. It belongs to the tribe Oxypodini within the subtribe Dinardina. The species has been documented from several eastern and midwestern U.S. states. Like other aleocharine rove beetles, it is likely small-bodied with reduced elytra typical of the family.
Deinopteroloma
Deinopteroloma is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini) established by Jansson in 1946. The genus was transferred from Silphidae to Staphylinidae based on morphological evidence and is now classified within the Anthobium group of genera. Species occur in the Pacific Northwest of North America, the Nepal Himalayas, northeastern Burma, China (Sichuan, Yunnan), and northern Vietnam. The genus includes at least nine described species, with several new species described from China and Vietnam in 2016.
Devia
Devia is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. The genus was established by Blackwelder in 1952 and is classified within the tribe Oxypodini. Rove beetles in this genus are small, elongate beetles with the characteristic abbreviated elytra that leave much of the abdomen exposed. The genus is distinct from the plant genus Devia (Iridaceae), which was described later by Goldblatt & Manning in 1990.
Devia prospera
Devia prospera is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) described by Erichson in 1839. The species has a Holarctic distribution, occurring naturally across northern Eurasia from Europe through Russia to Japan, and has been introduced to North America where it is now established across Canada and the northern United States. As a member of the diverse rove beetle family, it inhabits various terrestrial environments where these beetles are typically found.
Diaulota fulviventris
Diaulota fulviventris is a flightless intertidal rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is one of two species in a lineage that crossed the Pacific Ocean directly from the northwestern Pacific to the northeastern Pacific, likely via sea surface currents, rather than following the coastal route taken by most congeners. The species occurs in western North America and Mexico.
Diestota
Diestota is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae, tribe Diestotini. The genus was established by Mulsant & Rey in 1870. Members of this genus are small, typically inconspicuous beetles associated with decaying organic matter. Very few observations of this genus exist in public databases, suggesting either genuine rarity or undercollecting due to their cryptic habits.
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.
Dinaraea angustula
Rove beetle
Dinaraea angustula is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae) first described by Gyllenhal in 1810. Originally placed in Aleochara, it was later transferred to Dinaraea. The species has a Holarctic distribution, occurring naturally across Europe and northern Asia, with introduced populations established in North America. It is one of many aleocharine rove beetles characterized by reduced elytra and a compact body form.
Dinardina
Dinardina is a subtribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) within the tribe Oxypodini, subfamily Aleocharinae. It was established by Mulsant & Rey in 1873. The subtribe contains small to minute beetles associated with ant colonies. Members exhibit myrmecophilous (ant-associated) lifestyles, though specific ecological relationships vary among included genera. The subtribe is primarily documented from European faunas.
Dinocoryna
Dinocoryna is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) in the tribe Lomechusini, subfamily Aleocharinae. The genus was established by Casey in 1893 and contains at least six described species distributed in North America. Members of this genus are myrmecophilous, meaning they are associated with ant colonies.
Dinothenarus badipes
Dinothenarus badipes is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, widespread across northern North America. The species inhabits forested and open terrestrial environments, with records spanning 312 iNaturalist observations. It belongs to a genus of moderate-sized rove beetles with characteristic body proportions.
Dinothenarus nigrellus
Dinothenarus nigrellus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is a relatively obscure species with limited published biological information, known primarily from collection records in western North America. The genus Dinothenarus belongs to the tribe Staphylinini, one of the largest and most diverse groups within rove beetles.
Dinothenarus saphyrinus
Dinothenarus saphyrinus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by LeConte in 1861. The species belongs to the genus Dinothenarus, a group within the large and diverse rove beetle family. Records indicate it occurs in western North America, with confirmed observations from British Columbia, Canada. Like other staphylinids, it has short elytra that leave most of the abdomen exposed. The genus Dinothenarus is relatively small and poorly documented in the literature.
Diochini
Diochini is a tribe of rove beetles within the subfamily Staphylininae, established by Casey in 1906. The tribe contains at least 2 genera and 84 described species. Coomania was historically included but was removed to its own monotypic tribe Coomaniini in 2020. Members are small to medium-sized predatory beetles with the characteristic short elytra of rove beetles.
Diochus
Diochus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) with cosmopolitan distribution, though most species diversity occurs in the Neotropical region. The genus comprises over 80 described species organized into six species groups based on morphological characteristics. Taxonomic revision has synonymized some historically described species and clarified species boundaries through detailed morphological analysis.
Diochus schaumii
Diochus schaumi is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, originally described by Kraatz in 1860 as D. schaumii. It belongs to the D. schaumii-group, which includes four other Neotropical species: D. angustiformis, D. argentinus, D. brunneus, and D. curtipennis. The species was synonymised with D. vilis Sharp, 1885. It has a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.
Dropephylla
Dropephylla is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by Mulsant & Rey in 1880. The genus belongs to the subfamily Omaliinae and has been the subject of taxonomic revision for Palaearctic species. Records indicate presence in northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Dropephylla cacti
Dropephylla cacti is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Omaliinae, described by Schwarz in 1899. The species epithet 'cacti' suggests an association with cactus habitats. It is recorded from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States including Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada. As a member of the omaliine rove beetles, it likely inhabits decaying plant matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Drusilla
Drusilla is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Leach in 1819. It belongs to the tribe Lomechusini within the subfamily Aleocharinae. At least two species have been described in this genus. Members are small beetles with the characteristic short elytra of rove beetles, exposing most of the abdomen.
Dytoscotes pacificus
Dytoscotes pacificus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Phloeocharinae. It was described by Smetana and Campbell in 1980. The species is known from Oregon in the western United States. Very little information is available about its biology, ecology, or specific habitat requirements.
Earota
Earota is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae, tribe Geostibini. The genus was established by Mulsant and Rey in 1873. As a member of Geostibini, Earota belongs to a group of aleocharine rove beetles often associated with soil and ground-dwelling habitats. The genus contains relatively few described species and remains poorly studied in comparison to more speciose aleocharine genera.