Tenebrionidae
Guides
Adelina pallida
Orange Lacquer Beetle
Adelina pallida, commonly known as the Orange Lacquer Beetle, is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It is distributed in parts of North America and South America, with confirmed records from Mexico and Colombia. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1824. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles primarily adapted to arid and semi-arid environments.
Adelonia sulcatula
Adelonia sulcatula is a small darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1885. The species is known from limited specimens and observations in coastal northern South America and Mexico. It belongs to a genus of beetles adapted to arid and semi-arid environments. Available records suggest it is rarely encountered and poorly studied.
Alaudes
Alaudes is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, subfamily Pimeliinae, tribe Cnemeplatiini. The genus was revised in 2018, resulting in the description of new species from the southwestern United States and Mexico. It belongs to the subtribe Alaudina, which was established as part of that revisionary work. Members of this genus are part of a diverse radiation of tenebrionid beetles adapted to arid and semi-arid environments.
Alaudes californicus
Alaudes californicus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Aalbu, Caterino & Smith in 2018. The species is known from California and is one of few representatives of the genus Alaudes documented in the region. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Alaudes coloradoensis
Alaudes coloradoensis is a darkling beetle species described in 2018 from Colorado. It belongs to the genus Alaudes in the family Tenebrionidae. The species was erected based on morphological distinctions from congeners. No ecological or behavioral studies have been published.
Alaudes moenkopii
Alaudes moenkopii is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described in 2018 from the southwestern United States. The species epithet refers to the Moenkopi Formation, a geological formation in northern Arizona where the type specimens were collected. It belongs to a small genus of flightless, ground-dwelling beetles adapted to arid environments. As a recently described species, detailed ecological and behavioral information remains limited.
Alethia
Alethia is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1888. The genus occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Members of this genus are small beetles within the speciose family Tenebrionidae, which comprises primarily detritivorous and fungivorous species.
Alleculina
comb-clawed beetles
Alleculina is a subtribe of comb-clawed beetles within the darkling beetle family Tenebrionidae. Members of this group were formerly classified as a separate family (Alleculidae) but have been reclassified as a subfamily (Alleculinae) and subsequently as a subtribe within the Tenebrionidae. These beetles do not resemble 'classic' darkling beetles in appearance, presenting a challenge for identification. The subtribe includes genera such as Hymenorus.
Alobates barbatus
Alobates barbatus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Knoch in 1801. The genus Alobates is part of a diverse family of beetles commonly found in terrestrial habitats. The specific epithet 'barbatus' refers to a bearded or hairy characteristic, likely describing some aspect of the beetle's morphology. As with many Tenebrionidae, this species is likely associated with decaying organic matter and soil habitats.
Alobates pensylvanicus
false mealworm beetle
Alobates pensylvanicus, commonly known as the false mealworm beetle, is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It is native to North America and has been documented as a host for parasitic mite larvae, specifically Neotrombidium beeri, which occupy the subelytral space of adult beetles. The species is part of the diverse tenebrionid fauna associated with decaying organic matter and forest floor habitats.
Alphitophagus bifasciatus
Two-banded fungus beetle
Alphitophagus bifasciatus is a small darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) with an almost cosmopolitan distribution. The species is frequently associated with stored products and organic matter, and has been documented as an intermediate host for the poultry tapeworm Raillietina cesticillus. It is distinguished from the rare congener A. obtusangulus by its two pale transverse bands on the elytra.
Ammodonus fossor
Ammodonus fossor is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by LeConte in 1847. The species epithet "fossor" (Latin for "digger") suggests fossorial (burrowing) habits, though specific behavioral documentation is limited. It is recorded from Ontario, Canada, with relatively few observations available. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large and diverse family of beetles primarily associated with arid and semi-arid environments, though many species occupy varied habitats.
Ammodonus tropicus
Ammodonus tropicus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Kirsch in 1866. It belongs to the tribe Ammodoniini, a group of small to medium-sized tenebrionids often associated with sandy or arid habitats. The species epithet 'tropicus' suggests a tropical distribution, which aligns with records from Colombia and Mexico.
Anaedus
Anaedus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Blanchard in 1842. Members of this genus are found in the Neotropical region, with confirmed records from Colombia. As with many tenebrionid genera, species-level taxonomy and natural history remain incompletely documented.
Anchomma costatum
Anchomma costatum is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1858. It belongs to a genus of North American beetles. The species is known from limited collection records and appears to be rarely encountered, with only five documented observations on iNaturalist. As with many tenebrionid beetles, it likely inhabits arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Androchirus
Androchirus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae. Species in this genus are found in western North America, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1862. Based on iNaturalist observations, the genus is moderately well-documented with over 500 records.
Anepsius delicatulus
Anepsius delicatulus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The species is known from Mexico based on distribution records. Very little published information exists regarding its biology, morphology, or ecology. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles primarily associated with arid and semi-arid environments, though specific habitat preferences for this species remain undocumented.
Anepsius montanus
Mountain Darkling Beetle
Anepsius montanus is a darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) described by Casey in 1891. The species is known from Alberta, Canada, with very few documented observations. As a member of the genus Anepsius, it belongs to a group of tenebrionid beetles typically associated with dry, often montane habitats. The common name "Mountain Darkling Beetle" reflects its alpine or subalpine distribution pattern.
Anoplochares apicata
Anoplochares apicata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The genus Anoplochares is endemic to New Zealand, and this species represents one of several described members of this genus. Like other tenebrionids, it is adapted to arid or semi-arid environments and exhibits nocturnal habits. The species has been documented in the scientific literature but remains poorly known in terms of detailed biology.
Apocrypha anthicoides
Apocrypha anthicoides is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Eschscholtz in 1831. It belongs to a genus of relatively obscure beetles with limited published natural history information. The species epithet 'anthicoides' suggests a resemblance to beetles in the family Anthicidae (ant-like flower beetles), likely referring to its body form or ant-mimicking appearance. Available records indicate this is a rarely encountered species with minimal documentation in entomological literature.
Apocryphini
Apocryphini is a tribe of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Lacordaire in 1859. The tribe comprises at least four genera distributed across North America, the Palearctic, and the Neotropics. Members are classified within the subfamily Tenebrioninae.
Apsena
Apsena is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) described by LeConte in 1862. Species in this genus are found in the Nearctic region. The genus contains multiple species, with over 800 observations documented on iNaturalist. As with other tenebrionids, members of this genus are likely associated with arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Apsena grossa
Apsena grossa is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. As a member of this large and diverse family, it shares the characteristic hardened forewings (elytra) typical of beetles. The genus Apsena contains multiple species, though detailed biological information for A. grossa specifically remains limited in published literature.
Apsida
Apsida is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Lacordaire in 1859. The genus is distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from Colombia. As a member of the diverse Tenebrionidae family, these beetles are likely adapted to arid or semi-arid environments typical of many tenebrionid lineages.
Araeoschizus
Araeoschizus is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) in the tribe Stenosini. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. Members of this genus are part of the subfamily Pimeliinae, a diverse group of tenebrionids often associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The genus is native to western North America.
Argoporis
Argoporis is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Horn in 1870. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed across North America. Members of this genus are part of the diverse tenebrionid fauna characteristic of arid and semi-arid regions.
Argoporis alutacea
Argoporis alutacea is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Casey in 1890. The genus Argoporis is part of a diverse group of beetles commonly found in arid and semi-arid environments. Very little specific biological information has been published for this species. Records indicate a distribution in Mexico.
Argoporis costipennis
Argoporis costipennis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, originally described by LeConte in 1851. It belongs to the genus Argoporis, which comprises flightless beetles endemic to western North America. The species is recorded from Mexico (MX) and has been documented through 17 iNaturalist observations as of the available data. Like other members of its genus, it is likely adapted to arid or semi-arid environments typical of the region.
Argoporis rufipes
Argoporis rufipes is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The species name "rufipes" refers to reddish legs, a common diagnostic trait in this genus. Records indicate occurrence in Mexico. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it likely inhabits arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Armalia angularis
Armalia angularis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1907. The genus Armalia is a small group within this large family of beetles. Information regarding the biology, distribution, and ecology of this species is extremely limited in the available literature.
Armalia texana
Armalia texana is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1866. The genus Armalia is a small group within this large family, and A. texana appears to be primarily associated with arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Like other tenebrionids, this species is likely nocturnal and adapted to xeric conditions. The specific epithet "texana" indicates the type locality or primary association with Texas.
Arthromacra
Arthromacra is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Kirby in 1837. The genus is native to North America and has been recorded from the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont. Members of this genus are part of the diverse darkling beetle fauna that inhabits forested and terrestrial environments. The genus is represented by approximately 1,850 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate documentation of its species in the field.
Arthromacra pilosella
A species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, subfamily Lagriinae. The genus Arthromacra is a small group of lagriine beetles distributed in North America. Very little published information exists regarding the biology, ecology, or even precise distribution of A. pilosella. The species name 'pilosella' (Latin diminutive of 'pilosus', meaning hairy) likely refers to a fine pubescence on the body surface. Based on the few available specimen records, the species appears to be associated with forested or woodland habitats in eastern North America.
Asbolus
blue death-feigning beetles
Asbolus is a small genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus contains four species, including the well-known Asbolus verrucosus, commonly called the blue death-feigning beetle. These beetles are adapted to arid desert environments and exhibit a distinctive blue coloration derived from a waxy coating that prevents desiccation. The genus is notable for its thanatosis behavior—playing dead when threatened.
Asbolus laevis
Asbolus laevis is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. First described by LeConte in 1851, it inhabits arid, sandy environments including the Sonoran Desert. The species is distinguished from its congener Asbolus verrucosus by its smaller size, smooth glossy black exoskeleton, and finely dotted elytra with marginal studded points.
Asbolus mexicanus
Asbolus mexicanus is a darkling beetle species described by Champion in 1884. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, inhabiting arid environments with sandy or scrubby vegetation. The species was originally distinguished from congeners by its opaque, broader, and less convex body form, with a flatter thorax and characteristic elytral punctation.
Asbolus papillosus
Asbolus papillosus is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It inhabits arid, sandy environments including the Sonoran Desert. The species is distinguished from congeners by its granular elytra and relatively short tarsal hairs. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits thanatosis (death-feigning behavior) as an antipredator defense, though this has not been specifically documented for this species.
Asiopus minimus
Asiopus minimus is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) within the order Coleoptera. The genus Asiopus is part of the diverse tenebrionid fauna, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in accessible literature. Based on family-level characteristics, members of this group are generally associated with arid or semi-arid environments and are often nocturnal or crepuscular in activity patterns.
Batuliomorpha comata
Batuliomorpha comata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Doyen in 1987. The genus Batuliomorpha is part of the diverse tenebrionid fauna of western North America. Very little published information exists on the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Batulius setosus
Batulius setosus is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1851. The species is known from Mexico, with confirmed distribution records from that country. As a member of the genus Batulius, it belongs to a group of tenebrionid beetles found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America.
Bius
Bius is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by Dejean in 1834. The genus contains at least two described species: Bius estriatus and Bius thoracicus. Members of this genus are classified within the tribe Tenebrionini, subfamily Tenebrioninae. As with many tenebrionid genera, detailed biological information remains limited in the primary literature.
Blapstinus alutaceus
Blapstinus alutaceus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Blatchley in 1910. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized beetles commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. The species is part of the tribe Blapstinini, which contains numerous taxonomically challenging species that are often distinguished by subtle morphological characters.
Blapstinus castaneus
Blapstinus castaneus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1890. The genus Blapstinus comprises small to medium-sized tenebrionid beetles found primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. As a member of this genus, B. castaneus is likely adapted to dry environments. The species is represented by limited specimen records in museum collections and few observations in citizen science databases.
Blapstinus discolor
Blapstinus discolor is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Horn in 1870. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized beetles commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. The species name 'discolor' suggests color variation within the species or between sexes, a trait not uncommon in the genus.
Blapstinus fuscus
Blapstinus fuscus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It belongs to the tribe Blapstinini, a group of small to medium-sized tenebrionids primarily distributed in the Americas. The species was described by Thomas L. Casey in 1890. Available records indicate a distribution in Mexico, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Blapstinus histricus
Blapstinus histricus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It was described by Casey in 1890. The species is known from Hawaii and the continental United States. Limited information is available regarding its biology and ecology.
Blapstinus moestus
Blapstinus moestus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Melsheimer in 1846. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized beetles commonly found in North American habitats. The species is documented from Ontario, Canada, though detailed biological information remains limited in published sources.
Blapstinus pratensis
Blapstinus pratensis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by LeConte in 1859. The species is recorded from western North America, with distribution records from Alberta, Canada and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Blapstinus, it is a ground-dwelling beetle typically found in grassland and prairie habitats. The specific epithet "pratensis" refers to meadows or grasslands, suggesting an association with prairie ecosystems.
Blapstinus substriatus
Blapstinus substriatus is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1885. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized beetles found primarily in North America. The species is documented from western Canada with limited observational records.
Blapstinus vestitus
Blapstinus vestitus is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by LeConte in 1859. The genus Blapstinus comprises small to medium-sized beetles primarily distributed in North America. As with many tenebrionid beetles, species in this genus are generally associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The specific epithet "vestitus" (Latin for "clothed") likely refers to the pubescent or setose body covering characteristic of this species. Records from museum collections indicate this is a recognized but relatively obscure species within the genus.