Tenebrionidae
Guides
Isomira valida
Isomira valida is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Schwarz in 1878. It is a member of the genus Isomira, which comprises small to medium-sized beetles distributed primarily in the Nearctic region. The species has been documented in Ontario, Canada, based on available occurrence records. As with many tenebrionid beetles, detailed natural history information for this species remains limited in published literature.
Isomira variabilis
Isomira variabilis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Horn in 1875. Like other members of this large beetle family, it is likely associated with decaying plant matter and soil habitats. The genus Isomira contains small to medium-sized beetles found primarily in North America. Specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Lagriinae
Long-jointed Beetles
Lagriinae is a subfamily of darkling beetles within the family Tenebrionidae, comprising more than 270 genera grouped into 11 tribes. Adults are medium-sized (5–12 mm) with characteristic Tenebrionidae features including a 5-5-4 tarsal formula and antennal bases concealed by canthi. The subfamily is notable for its defensive symbiosis with Burkholderia bacteria that produce the antifungal compound lagriamide, protecting eggs and larvae from antagonistic fungi. This symbiosis has evolved through multiple independent horizontal acquisition events rather than strict co-diversification.
Lagriini
Lagriini is a tribe of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae: Lagriinae) established by Latreille in 1825. Members are small beetles, with some species such as Adynata poupillieri measuring 4–5 mm. The tribe occurs across multiple continents with documented diversity in North Africa, including Morocco and Algeria. Moroccan species have been subject to recent taxonomic revision including lectotype designation and identification keys.
Latheticus
Latheticus is a genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) with nearly cosmopolitan distribution. The genus contains at least two species: Latheticus oryzae (long-headed flour beetle) and Latheticus prosopis. L. oryzae is a significant economic pest of stored grains and fermented products, notable for its slender body, protruding head morphology, and remarkable adaptability to high-temperature environments.
Latheticus oryzae
Long-Headed Flour Beetle
Latheticus oryzae is a small stored-product pest beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the long-headed flour beetle. It infests milled grain products, cereals, flour, and rice, with both adults and larvae feeding directly on these substrates. The species is notable for its elongated head morphology and resemblance to Tribolium castaneum. It has been documented in high-temperature environments including Chinese baijiu-producing regions, where it infests fermented Daqu starter cultures.
Lepidocnemeplatia sericea
Lepidocnemeplatia sericea is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Horn in 1870. The species has been recorded from Mexico and Hawaii, with iNaturalist documenting 32 observations. As a member of the Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles commonly known as darkling beetles, which are predominantly detritivores and are particularly diverse in arid and semi-arid environments.
Liodema
Liodema is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by Horn in 1870. The genus is native to the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from Colorado and broader distribution across the Americas. It is a poorly documented genus with very few observations in citizen science databases.
Liodema laeve
Liodema laeve is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. As a member of this family, it likely exhibits the hardened forewings (elytra) characteristic of beetles and the general body plan typical of tenebrionids. No specific observations or detailed biological studies of this species have been documented in the provided sources.
Litasida
Litasida is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Casey in 1912. The genus is poorly documented, with minimal published information available regarding its species composition, ecology, and natural history. It belongs to the diverse beetle family Tenebrionidae, which contains over 20,000 described species worldwide, many of which are adapted to arid environments. The genus appears to be restricted to the Nearctic region based on available distribution records.
Lobometopon fusiforme
Lobometopon fusiforme is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It was originally described by Casey in 1890 under the genus Epitragus and later transferred to Lobometopon. The species is known from Mexico and is represented by a small number of observations. Its taxonomic status is marked as doubtful in some databases, suggesting potential issues with classification or identification.
Lobopoda
Lobopoda is a genus of comb-clawed beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, subfamily Alleculinae. The genus contains numerous species distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The type species is Lobopoda striata. Members of this genus are characterized by the distinctive comb-like tarsal claws that give the group its common name.
Lobopoda nigrans
Lobopoda nigrans is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Melsheimer in 1846. It belongs to the genus Lobopoda, a group of small to medium-sized beetles found primarily in North America. The species has been documented through limited observations, with 18 records on iNaturalist as of the data cutoff. Like other tenebrionids, it is likely associated with decaying organic matter and dry habitats.
Lystronychus championi
Lystronychus championi is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1894. As a member of this diverse beetle family, it belongs to a group known for their adaptation to arid environments and nocturnal habits. The species epithet honors an individual named Champion, likely the collector or another person significant to its discovery. Very little specific biological information is available for this particular species.
Lystronychus piliferus
Lystronychus piliferus is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1888. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Lystronychus, a group of tenebrionids found in the Americas. The species has been documented in Colombia and Mexico based on specimen records. Like other members of Tenebrionidae, it is adapted to arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lystronychus scapularis
Lystronychus scapularis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Champion in 1888. It belongs to a diverse family of beetles commonly found in arid and semi-arid environments. The genus Lystronychus is part of the tenebrionid radiation in North America, with this species recorded from Mexico.
Menoeceus
Menoeceus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Champion in 1888. The genus is distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. As a tenebrionid genus, it belongs to a large and diverse family of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, though this etymological origin has no biological significance.
Menoeceus texanus
Menoeceus texanus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Champion in 1888. The genus Menoeceus is a small group within this large family of beetles. Very little specific information is available about this particular species beyond its taxonomic classification.
Meracantha
Meracantha is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Kirby in 1837. The genus contains one extant species, M. contracta, and one extinct species, M. lacustris, known from fossil remains. Members of this genus are found in North America.
Meracantha contracta
Contracted Darkling Beetle
Meracantha contracta is a North American darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) distinguished by its strongly convex, humped body profile and association with decaying wood. Adults measure 11-14 mm and are bronze-black when mature. The species overwinters as larvae within rotting logs, producing antifreeze compounds to survive temperatures down to approximately -11°C. It has been recorded from at least Ontario, Canada, with broader distribution across North America.
Merinus laevis
Smooth Darkling Beetle
Merinus laevis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the Smooth Darkling Beetle. It is native to eastern North America, with confirmed records from Ontario and Québec in Canada. As a member of the darkling beetle family, it likely occupies habitats typical of tenebrionids, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Metaclisa
Metaclisa is a genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) and the sole genus of the tribe Metaclisini. It contains at least four described species. The genus has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple biogeographic realms.
Metaclisa atra
Metaclisa atra is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1866. The genus Metaclisa belongs to the subfamily Lagriinae within the diverse beetle family Tenebrionidae. Very little published information exists regarding the specific biology, ecology, or distribution of this particular species. The species epithet "atra" refers to its black coloration. Records in GBIF and iNaturalist indicate it is a rarely encountered species with limited observational data.
Metopoloba pruinosa
Metopoloba pruinosa is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Horn in 1870. The species is classified within the order Coleoptera and is part of the diverse beetle fauna of North America. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Metoponium abnorme
Metoponium abnorme is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The genus Metoponium is a small group within this large family of beetles, which are primarily distributed in arid and semi-arid regions. Very few records exist for this species, and its biology remains poorly documented.
Metoponium abnorme abnorme
Metoponium abnorme abnorme is a subspecies of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, originally described by LeConte in 1851. The genus Metoponium contains species associated with arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. As a nominate subspecies, it represents the typical form of Metoponium abnorme. Published records for this taxon are sparse, with no observations documented in major biodiversity databases.
Micromes
Micromes is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Casey in 1907. The genus is native to the Nearctic region. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large and diverse family of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments. Specific information about the species within this genus and their biology remains poorly documented.
Microschatia championi
Microschatia championi is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Horn in 1893. The genus Microschatia belongs to a diverse family of primarily nocturnal beetles commonly found in arid and semi-arid environments. This species is known from Mexico based on distribution records.
Microschatia inaequalis
Microschatia inaequalis is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to southwestern North America. Its known distribution is restricted to southern California south of Los Angeles and northern Baja California Norte. As a member of the Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
Microschatia morata
Microschatia morata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Horn in 1878. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized beetles distributed in North America. The species has been documented in Mexico based on collection records.
Mycetochara
comb-clawed beetles
Mycetochara is a genus of comb-clawed beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, containing at least 30 described species. The genus is classified in the subfamily Alleculinae and is distributed across Europe, Russia, and parts of North America. Recent taxonomic revisions have clarified species boundaries in European Russia and the Russian Caucasus, describing new species and resolving synonymies.
Mycetochara bicolor
Mycetochara bicolor is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Couper in 1865. It is known from eastern Canada, with records from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. As a member of the Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles commonly associated with decaying plant matter and fungi.
Mycetochara haldemani
Mycetochara haldemani is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The genus Mycetochara comprises fungus-feeding beetles, and this species follows that ecological pattern. It is known from scattered observations across North America, with records from the Great Plains region. The specific epithet honors the entomologist Samuel Stehman Haldeman.
Mycotrogus angustus
Mycotrogus angustus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Horn in 1870. The genus Mycotrogus belongs to a diverse family of beetles commonly known for their association with arid environments and detritivorous feeding habits. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species.
Mycotrogus mentalis
Mycotrogus mentalis is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Blaisdell in 1923. The genus Mycotrogus is a small group within this large family of primarily detritivorous beetles. This species is known from Mexico, though detailed biological information remains limited in available literature. Like other tenebrionids, it likely occupies arid or semi-arid environments.
Myrmechixenini
Myrmechixenini is a tribe of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by Jacquelin du Val in 1858. The tribe belongs to the subfamily Diaperinae within the speciose family Tenebrionidae, one of the largest families of beetles. Members of this tribe are characterized by their association with ant colonies, reflecting the etymology of the name (from Greek myrmex, ant, and xenia, hospitality). The tribe contains relatively few described species and is poorly represented in collections, with only 13 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Myrmechixenus
Myrmechixenus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, subfamily Diaperinae. The genus contains two recognized species: M. lathridioides and M. picinus. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with ant colonies.
Myrmechixenus lathridioides
Myrmechixenus lathridioides is a small beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Crotch in 1873. The genus name derives from Greek roots meaning 'ant guest,' indicating an association with ant colonies. It belongs to the subfamily Lagriinae, a group of darkling beetles with diverse ecological habits. The species epithet references a superficial resemblance to beetles in the family Lathridiidae (plaster beetles).
Nalassus
A genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) comprising more than 70 species distributed across the Palearctic and North America. Species occupy diverse habitats from coniferous forests to alpine zones and steppe landscapes. The genus exhibits pronounced ecological specialization, with distinct species groups adapted to forest, alpine, or steppe environments and corresponding trophic niches.
Nalassus californicus
Nalassus californicus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1843. The species epithet reflects its association with California. As a member of this large beetle family, it likely inhabits dry, terrestrial environments typical of many tenebrionids. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only two documented observations in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Nalassus convexulus
Nalassus convexulus is a small darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by LeConte in 1861. It belongs to a genus of beetles commonly associated with dead wood and forest floor habitats. The species is rarely encountered, with few documented observations.
Neobaphion
Neobaphion is a genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) established by Blaisdell in 1925. The genus is native to the Nearctic region and contains relatively few described species. As a member of the Tenebrionidae family, it belongs to one of the largest families of beetles, characterized by their generally cryptic habits and association with arid or semi-arid environments. The genus remains poorly studied, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Neomida
Neomida is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) containing approximately 18 described species. The genus was established by Latreille in 1829. At least one species, Neomida bicornis, has been documented in residential areas in the central United States, where adults are attracted to artificial light sources at night.
Neomida bicornis
Two-horned Darkling Beetle
Neomida bicornis, commonly known as the Two-horned Darkling Beetle, is a small species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The species is characterized by the distinctive horn-like projections on its head, from which its specific epithet derives. It has been documented across eastern and central North America, with observations ranging from Canada to the United States. The species is attracted to artificial light sources at night.
Neomida ferruginea
Neomida ferruginea is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by LeConte in 1866. The species is known from Mexico based on distribution records. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it shares family characteristics including a hardened exoskeleton and typically nocturnal habits, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Nocibiotes
Nocibiotes is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Casey in 1895. It is distributed in the Nearctic region. The genus is relatively poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Nyctoporis aequicollis
Nyctoporis aequicollis is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Eschscholtz in 1831. It belongs to a genus of beetles found in western North America. The species is rarely documented, with limited published information on its biology.
Nyctoporis cristata
Nyctoporis cristata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Eschscholtz in 1831. It belongs to the tribe Nyctoporini, a group of tenebrionid beetles often associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The species epithet 'cristata' refers to a crested or ridged feature, likely describing a morphological characteristic of the pronotum or elytra. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be nocturnal and ground-dwelling.
Nyctoporis sponsa
Nyctoporis sponsa is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Casey in 1907. The genus Nyctoporis is native to western North America, and members are generally associated with arid and semi-arid habitats. The species is documented in scattered records across the southwestern United States.
Oenopion
Oenopion is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1885. The genus is distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. As with many tenebrionid genera, detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.