Tenebrionidae
Guides
Triorophus
Triorophus is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) within the tribe Edrotini. The genus was established by J.L. LeConte in 1851. Members of this genus are part of the subfamily Pimeliinae, a group often associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The genus contains multiple species distributed in North America, particularly in western regions.
Triorophus laevis
Triorophus laevis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The genus Triorophus belongs to this large family of beetles, which are characterized by hardened forewings and typically inhabit arid or semi-arid environments. Available information on this species is extremely limited, with only three observation records documented on iNaturalist and distribution records limited to Mexico.
Triorophus rugiceps
Triorophus rugiceps is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The genus Triorophus belongs to the tribe Tenebrionini, a group of primarily ground-dwelling beetles. This species is native to western North America. Like many tenebrionids, it is likely nocturnal and associated with arid or semi-arid habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Triphalopsis californica
Triphalopsis californica is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Doyen in 1983. The genus Triphalopsis is part of a diverse family of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments. This species is known from Mexico based on distribution records.
Trogloderus
Trogloderus is a genus of psammophilic darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) endemic to dunes and sandy habitats in the western United States. The genus comprises ten described species, including six new species described in 2019 from desert regions across the Intermountain Region. Molecular phylogenetic analysis dates the most recent common ancestor to 5.2 million years ago, with speciation driven by geographic features of the Lahontan Trough, Bouse Embayment, and Kaibab Plateau during the mid-Pleistocene.
Trogloderus kandai
Trogloderus kandai is a psammophilic darkling beetle described in 2019 from Owens Valley, California. It belongs to a genus of six newly described species restricted to dunes and sandy habitats in the western United States. The species is part of the tribe Amphidorini, associated with desert stink beetles.
Trogloderus warneri
Trogloderus warneri is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Johnston in 2019. It belongs to a genus of psammophilic beetles restricted to dunes and sandy habitats in the western United States. The species is endemic to the western Colorado Plateau region. As a member of a genus whose most recent common ancestor dates to approximately 5.2 million years ago, T. warneri likely arose during the mid-Pleistocene. The genus Trogloderus comprises six species, all adapted to sandy environments.
Typhlusechus
Typhlusechus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Linell in 1897. It belongs to the tribe Stenosini within the subfamily Pimeliinae. The genus is rarely encountered in collections and field observations, with minimal published biological information available.
Typhlusechus chemehuevii
Typhlusechus chemehuevii is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described in 1985 from the southwestern United States. The species epithet honors the Chemehuevi people, whose traditional territory spans parts of California, Arizona, and Nevada. As a member of the genus Typhlusechus, it belongs to a group of small, often eye-reduced beetles associated with arid environments. The species remains poorly known due to limited collection records and no documented observations in biodiversity databases such as iNaturalist.
Typhlusechus singularis
Typhlusechus singularis is a species of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) described by Linell in 1897. The genus Typhlusechus contains few described species and is characterized by reduced or absent eyes, an adaptation associated with subterranean or cave-dwelling habits. This species is part of a group of tenebrionids that have evolved morphological specializations for life in darkness, including elongated appendages and depigmentation. Records indicate extremely limited observation data, with only 4 documented observations in iNaturalist.
Tyrtaeus
Tyrtaeus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Champion in 1913. The genus has a broad distribution spanning multiple biogeographic regions including the Afrotropical, Australasian, and Neotropical realms. As with other tenebrionid beetles, members of this genus are likely adapted to arid and semi-arid environments.
Tyrtaeus dobsoni
Tyrtaeus dobsoni is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Hinton in 1947. The genus Tyrtaeus is a small group within this large beetle family. Like other tenebrionids, it is likely adapted to arid or semi-arid environments. The species is poorly documented in published literature.
Tyrtaeus rufus
Tyrtaeus rufus is a species of darkling beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1913. The genus Tyrtaeus is a small group within the large family Tenebrionidae, which comprises primarily detritivorous and xerophilic beetles. This species has documented occurrence records in Colombia and Mexico, suggesting a Neotropical distribution pattern.
Uloma
Uloma is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae comprising more than 200 species and subspecies worldwide. The genus is particularly diverse in China, with at least 37 recorded species. Immature stages have been described for few species, revealing oligopod larvae and exarate pupae with sexual dimorphism in some species. Members are primarily associated with decaying wood in forest habitats.
Uloma imberbis
Uloma imberbis is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. The species belongs to the genus Uloma, a group of small to medium-sized beetles commonly associated with decaying wood and forest floor debris. Observations are relatively sparse, with limited published biological information available.
Uloma impressa
Uloma impressa is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Melsheimer in 1846. The species belongs to a large family of beetles commonly known as darkling beetles, which are characterized by their hardened forewings and typically dull coloration. As with many Tenebrionidae species, detailed ecological and behavioral information remains limited in the available literature.
Uloma mentalis
Uloma mentalis is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1870. It belongs to the genus Uloma, a group of small to medium-sized beetles associated with decaying wood and forest floor habitats. The species is known from limited observations in North America, with confirmed records from Ontario, Canada. As with many tenebrionid beetles, its biology is poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Ulomoides ocularis
Ulomoides ocularis is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae. The species name "ocularis" refers to distinctive eye-related features. It has been recorded from Hawaii and Saint Martin (MF). As a member of Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles commonly associated with decaying plant matter and dry habitats.
Ulus fimbriatus
Ulus fimbriatus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1890. The genus Ulus is a small group within this diverse beetle family. Published records indicate this species occurs in Mexico. Information on its biology and ecology remains limited in accessible literature.
Ulus hirsutus
Ulus hirsutus is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1885. The species epithet 'hirsutus' refers to its hairy appearance. It belongs to the genus Ulus, which is part of the diverse Tenebrionidae family, one of the largest families of beetles. Records indicate presence in Colombia (Bolívar Department, specifically Cartagena), Mexico, and Hawaii, USA, though the Hawaiian occurrence may represent an introduction.
Upis
Upis is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by Fabricius in 1792. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution and includes at least one well-studied species, Upis ceramboides, which is notable for exceptional cold-hardiness. Adults of U. ceramboides survive subarctic winters through freezing tolerance, representing one of the most cold-tolerant insects known.
Vacronini
Vacronini is a tribe of darkling beetles within the subfamily Pimeliinae, family Tenebrionidae. The tribe was established by Gebien in 1910 and comprises at least four genera with a disjunct distribution across North America and Australasia. Members are classified within the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, a diverse group of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
Xylopinus
Xylopinus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by LeConte in 1862. The genus contains at least three described species distributed in North America. Members of this genus are part of the diverse darkling beetle fauna, which are generally associated with dry or decaying organic matter. The genus name suggests an association with wood (from Greek xylon, meaning wood), though specific habitat preferences for Xylopinus species are not well documented.
Xylopinus aenescens
Xylopinus aenescens is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. It belongs to a genus of beetles associated with decaying wood and forest habitats. Records indicate it occurs in eastern Canada, specifically New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it likely contributes to nutrient cycling through decomposition processes, though specific ecological studies on this species appear limited.
Xylopinus saperdoides
Decaying Darkling Beetle
Xylopinus saperdoides is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the Decaying Darkling Beetle. It is native to eastern North America and has been recorded in multiple Canadian provinces. The species is moderately well-documented, with nearly 1000 observations on iNaturalist.
Zophobas atratus
superworm, kingworm, barley worm, morio worm, giant mealworm beetle
Zophobas atratus is a darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) whose larvae, known as superworms, are widely used as feed for captive reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish. The species is notable for its larger size compared to the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), with larvae reaching 50–60 mm in length. Adults measure up to 57 mm. The species has gained attention for its ability to biodegrade polystyrene plastics through mechanical shredding and bacterial gut enzyme activity. It is native to tropical regions of Central and South America but has been introduced globally through the pet trade. The name Zophobas morio is a junior synonym.
Zophobas subnitens
Zophobas subnitens is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It is closely related to Zophobas morio, commonly known as the "superworm," which is widely used as animal feed and studied for human consumption. The genus Zophobas contains several species that have gained attention for their nutritional value and potential in waste management. However, specific research on Z. subnitens itself appears limited compared to its better-known congener.