Staphylinidae
Guides
Lathrobium washingtoni
Lathrobium washingtoni is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Casey in 1905. The species is known from northern North America, with records across Canada and Alaska. As a member of the large genus Lathrobium, it is presumed to be a predatory beetle inhabiting soil and litter environments, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. Only two observations are recorded in iNaturalist, indicating it is rarely encountered or underreported.
Lathropinus
Lathropinus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Paederinae, and tribe Pinophilini. The genus was established by Sharp in 1886. Species in this genus are small, elongate beetles with the characteristic abbreviated elytra of rove beetles, leaving most of the abdomen exposed. As members of Pinophilini, they are likely associated with forest floor habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lathropinus picipes
Lathropinus picipes is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Paederinae. The genus name was historically confused with Lathrobium, and this species has been documented across a broad geographic range in the United States from the East Coast to the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain region. Records span Alabama, Washington D.C., Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming. As with most rove beetles, it likely inhabits moist ground-level microhabitats and exhibits predatory or scavenging feeding habits typical of the family, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Leptoplectus pertenuis
Leptoplectus pertenuis is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Pselaphinae, a group commonly known as ant-loving beetles. The species was described by Casey in 1884 under the basionym Euplectus pertenuis. It is recorded across much of the eastern and central United States.
Leptoscydmus
Leptoscydmus is a genus of minute rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Leptoscydmini, a group of small beetles adapted to life in soil and leaf litter microhabitats. The genus was established by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1897 and contains species distributed in North America. These beetles are part of the diverse scydmaenine fauna that plays roles in decomposer food webs.
Leptoscydmus cavifrons
Leptoscydmus cavifrons is a species of minute rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Scydmaeninae. It was described by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1897. The species belongs to the tribe Leptoscydmini, a group of small beetles often referred to as ant-like stone beetles due to their morphology and behavior. Records indicate presence in the eastern United States.
Leptusa
Leptusa is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. The genus was established by Kraatz in 1856 and currently comprises at least 20 described species globally. The Palaearctic fauna includes approximately 420 species and 74 subspecies distributed across 71 subgenera. Recent taxonomic work from the Georgian Caucasus has significantly expanded knowledge of the genus in that region.
Leptusa elegans
Leptusa elegans is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Blatchley in 1910. It belongs to the subfamily Aleocharinae, a large and diverse group of small rove beetles. The species has been recorded from multiple localities in eastern North America. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with forest floor habitats and decaying organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Leptusa gimmeli
Leptusa gimmeli is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described from Tennessee in 2010. It belongs to the genus Leptusa, a group of small, often overlooked staphylinids. The species was established based on specimens collected in the eastern United States. As a recently described taxon, detailed biological information remains limited.
Lesteva cribratula
Lesteva cribratula is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae) native to eastern North America. It has been identified as a likely subnivium specialist, active beneath winter snowpack and rare or inactive during summer months. The species inhabits the air gap between soil and snow, where it likely functions as a predator in cold, stable conditions. Climate change poses a threat to this species through declining snowpack, which exposes subnivium habitats to temperature extremes.
Liogluta
Liogluta is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae, tribe Athetini. The genus was established by Thomson in 1858 and contains at least six described species distributed across Europe, Japan, and North America. These small beetles are members of one of the most species-rich lineages of rove beetles, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented for most species.
Liogluta terminalis
Liogluta terminalis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. It was described by Casey in 1906. The species belongs to the tribe Athetini, one of the largest tribes within the Aleocharinae. Like other members of its genus, it is a small-bodied beetle with the characteristic abbreviated elytra that expose most of the abdomen typical of the Staphylinidae family.
Liparocephalini
Liparocephalini is a tribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) comprising approximately 5 genera and more than 20 described species. The tribe is notable for its specialized colonization of intertidal marine habitats, representing a rare ecological transition among beetles. Phylogenetic studies indicate that ancestors of Liparocephalini originated in beach littoral zones and subsequently colonized rocky reef areas in the low tidal zone through intermediate tidal zones.
Liparocephalus
Liparocephalus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, tribe Liparocephalini. The genus contains four described species: L. brevipennis, L. cordicollis, L. litoralis, and L. tokunagai. These beetles are associated with coastal or shoreline habitats, as suggested by the specific epithet 'litoralis' (of the shore) and collection records from the Kuril Islands and Hokkaido.
Lispinus
Lispinus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Osoriinae) established by Erichson in 1839. Species occur primarily in the Neotropics, with documented diversity in premontane forests of the eastern Peruvian Andes. The genus comprises at least 21 species in Peru alone, distributed across six zoogeographic patterns ranging from endemic to Pan-Neotropical.
Lissagria
Lissagria is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Casey in 1906. It belongs to the tribe Falagriini within the subfamily Aleocharinae. The genus contains approximately eight described species, primarily named by Casey and other early 20th-century coleopterists.
Lissagria laeviuscula
Lissagria laeviuscula is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, originally described by LeConte in 1866 under the basionym Falagria laeviuscula. It belongs to the subfamily Aleocharinae and tribe Falagriini. The species is known from North America, with records from California.
Lissobiops
Lissobiops is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) described by Casey in 1905. It is currently classified as a synonym of the genus Homaeotarsus within the subfamily Paederinae. The genus was originally established for species now placed in the subgenus Homaeotarsus (Hesperobium).
Lissohypnus texanus
Lissohypnus texanus is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) described by Casey in 1906. It belongs to the tribe Xantholinini within the subfamily Staphylininae. The species is known from scattered records in the southern United States and Mexico. Like other staphylinids, it likely inhabits moist terrestrial environments where it functions as a predator or scavenger, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lithocharis
Lithocharis is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Paederinae, tribe Lathrobiini. The genus was established by Dejean in 1833. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized predatory beetles characterized by the typical rove beetle body plan: short elytra exposing most of the flexible abdomen. The genus is primarily distributed in the Holarctic region, with documented occurrences in northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Lithocharis nigriceps
Lithocharis nigriceps is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) with a cosmopolitan distribution spanning multiple continents. It has been introduced to North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand from its native range in Asia. The species is documented from diverse habitats including islands in the Azores and Pacific regions.
Lithocharodes
Lithocharodes is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the tribe Xantholinini, established by Sharp in 1876. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by the shortened elytra typical of the family. The genus is part of the diverse Staphylininae subfamily, one of the largest groups within rove beetles. Information on specific species and biology remains limited in available literature.
Lithocharodes longicollis
Long-collared Rove Beetle
Lithocharodes longicollis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, tribe Xantholinini, characterized by its notably elongated pronotum that gives rise to both its scientific and common names. The species was originally described by LeConte in 1863 under the genus Leptacinus. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) through much of the eastern and midwestern United States.
Lobrathium grande
Lobrathium grande is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1863. Originally placed in the genus Lathrobium, it was later transferred to Lobrathium. The species occurs in northeastern North America, with records from Canada and the eastern United States. As a member of the subfamily Paederinae, it belongs to a group of predatory rove beetles.
Lomechusini
Lomechusini is a tribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) within the subfamily Aleocharinae. The tribe contains approximately 202 genera organized into two subtribes: Lomechusina and Myrmedoniina, plus several genera of uncertain placement. It includes the relatively large genus Zyras, though most genera are small. Members are myrmecophilous, meaning they live in association with ants.
Lordithon anticus
Lordithon anticus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Horn in 1877. The species belongs to the subfamily Mycetoporinae, a group associated with fungal habitats. It has been documented across northeastern North America with scattered records extending into the Midwest. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to inhabit decaying organic matter, though specific ecological studies are limited.
Lordithon axillaris
Lordithon axillaris is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, distributed across eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States. The species has been recorded in Canadian provinces including New Brunswick and Quebec, and in numerous U.S. states spanning the Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and extending south to Oklahoma and South Carolina. It belongs to the subfamily Mycetoporinae, a group of staphylinids typically associated with fungal habitats.
Lordithon campbelli
Lordithon campbelli is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) described by Schülke in 2000. It belongs to the subfamily Mycetoporinae, a group associated with fungal habitats. The species is known from scattered records across eastern North America.
Lordithon niger
Black Lordithon Rove Beetle
Lordithon niger is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Mycetoporinae) in the genus Lordithon, originally described by Gravenhorst in 1802. A lectotype was designated by Campbell (1982) in his taxonomic revision of North and Central American Lordithon. The species is broadly distributed across eastern North America.
Lordithon obsoletus
Lordithon obsoletus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1832. The species has been placed in the genus Bobitobus by some authorities, though Lordithon remains widely used. It occurs across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Canada through the southeastern United States. As a member of the megadiverse Staphylinidae, it likely inhabits forest floor and soil habitats typical of the family, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lordithon oregonus
Lordithon oregonus is a species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) described by Campbell in 1982. The species was originally described under the genus Lordithon but has been synonymized under Bobitobus oregonus in some taxonomic treatments. It is known from the Pacific Northwest region of North America, with records from British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington. The genus Lordithon belongs to the tribe Xantholinini within the subfamily Staphylininae.
Losiusa angusticollis
Losiusa angusticollis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Seevers in 1978. It belongs to the subfamily Aleocharinae and tribe Oxypodini. The genus Losiusa is part of the subtribe Dinardina. Very little specific information is published about this species beyond its taxonomic description.
Lucifotychus cognatus
Lucifotychus cognatus is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. Originally described under the genus Tychus, it was later transferred to Lucifotychus, a genus within the tribe Tychini. The species occurs in western North America from Alaska through British Columbia and along the Pacific coast to California. Like other pselaphine rove beetles, it is likely associated with forest floor habitats and decaying organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lypoglossa
Lypoglossa is a genus of rove beetles in the subfamily Aleocharinae, family Staphylinidae. The genus was described by Fenyes in 1918 and contains four recognized species with a disjunct distribution across the Nearctic region and Europe. Species are small, typically found in association with forest floor habitats. The genus is classified within the tribe Athetini, a diverse group of small to minute staphylinids.
Machaerodes
Machaerodes is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Brendel in 1890. The genus contains a single described species, M. carinatus. As members of the subfamily Pselaphinae, these beetles are myrmecophilous, meaning they live in association with ants.
Manda
Manda is a genus of spiny-legged rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) established by Blackwelder in 1952. The genus belongs to the subfamily Oxytelinae and tribe Planeustomini. At least two species have been described within this genus. Rove beetles in this genus are characterized by their elongated bodies and reduced elytra that expose much of the abdomen. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Manda nearctica
spiny-legged rove beetle
Manda nearctica is a species of spiny-legged rove beetle described by Moore in 1964. It belongs to the family Staphylinidae, the largest family of beetles, characterized by their shortened elytra that leave most of the abdomen exposed. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from the southeastern United States.
Medon
Medon is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Paederinae. Species are small, typically found in soil and leaf litter habitats, with some taxa occurring in intertidal zones along coastlines. The genus is distributed across the Palearctic region, with significant diversity in Turkey (23+ species) and East Asia. Several species have been described in recent decades, indicating ongoing taxonomic refinement.
Medon fusculus
Medon fusculus is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae) originally described from Europe and now known from a broad Palearctic distribution extending from Western Europe through Turkey to the Caucasus, Middle East, and Iran. It has been introduced to eastern Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec). The species belongs to the diverse genus Medon, which contains numerous small, ground-dwelling species that are often poorly distinguished morphologically. Available records are sparse, with only three observations documented on iNaturalist.
Medon rufipenne
Medon rufipenne is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It belongs to the tribe Medonini, a group of small to medium-sized predatory beetles. The species epithet 'rufipenne' refers to the reddish coloration of the elytra. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist ground-level habitats where it preys on small invertebrates.
Medonina
Medonina is a subtribe of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) established by Casey in 1905. As of 2024, it encompasses 49 genera distributed across multiple continents. The subtribe belongs to the tribe Lathrobiini within the subfamily Paederinae. Members are small to medium-sized predatory beetles commonly found in leaf litter, soil, and other decaying organic matter.
Megalopinus lingafelteri
Megalopinus lingafelteri is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. The genus Megalopinus is known for containing relatively large species within this family, though specific information about M. lingafelteri itself is extremely limited. No observations of this species have been recorded in iNaturalist, and no published biological or ecological data are readily available. The species epithet suggests it may have been named in honor of an individual, following a common practice in coleopteran taxonomy.
Megalopinus rufipes
Megalopinus rufipes is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Megalopsidiinae. It is one of the largest rove beetles, with adults reaching approximately 20 mm in length. The species is distinguished by its reddish-orange legs, which contrast with its dark body. It has been recorded from the southeastern United States through Mexico, with some unconfirmed reports from Central and South America.
Megarafonus lentus
Megarafonus lentus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is found in North America, with records from Oregon, USA. The species is classified as an 'ant-loving beetle,' indicating a probable association with ant colonies.
Megarthrus excisus
Megarthrus excisus is a species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Proteininae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. The species is broadly distributed across northern North America, with records spanning boreal and temperate regions of Canada and the northern United States. Like other members of the genus Megarthrus, it is associated with forest floor habitats and decomposing organic matter. The genus is characterized by distinctive modifications of the male genitalia and antennae structure.
Megarthrus pictus
Megarthrus pictus is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) endemic to western North America. It is distinguished from other Nearctic Megarthrus species by its bicolored elytra and angulate temples. The body is predominantly brownish yellow in coloration. It is the only Nearctic species in its genus exhibiting this combination of traits that is endemic to Western North America.
Megastilicus
Megastilicus is a genus of myrmecophilous rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Paederinae) endemic to North America. The genus was long considered monotypic, containing only Megastilicus formicarius Casey, 1889, until the description of Megastilicus iowaensis in 2021. These beetles are specialized associates of ants, particularly Formica ulkei. The genus is classified in the subtribe Stilicina based on morphological characteristics.
Megastilicus formicarius
Megastilicus formicarius is a myrmecophilous rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Paederinae) native to North America. It was the sole species in its genus until the 2021 description of M. iowaensis. The species is obligately associated with ants, specifically documented with Formica ulkei colonies. Like other myrmecophilous Paederinae, it likely lives within ant nests, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species is known from museum specimens across northeastern and midwestern North America.
Melba
Melba is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus was described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1897. It belongs to the tribe Trichonychini within the diverse and species-rich rove beetle lineage. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with leaf litter and soil habitats.
Melba parvula
Melba parvula is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by LeConte in 1849. It is found in North America, with records spanning eastern and central United States and southern Canada. The species is associated with ant colonies, a characteristic of the myrmecophilous genus Melba.