Termitophilous
Guides
Hybosorinae
Scavenger Scarab Beetles
Hybosorinae is a subfamily of small scarab beetles in the family Hybosoridae. The subfamily contains at least one extant genus, Hybosorus, along with several extinct genera. Members are commonly referred to as scavenger scarab beetles. At least some species are termitophilous, living in association with termite colonies.
Platycholeus leptinoides
Platycholeus leptinoides is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Crotch in 1874. It is native to western North America, with records from California, Nevada, and Oregon. The species is termitophilous, indicating an association with termite colonies.
Pyrophorini
Headlight Beetles
Pyrophorini is a New World tribe of click beetles (Elateridae: Agrypninae) characterized by bioluminescence in both larvae and adults. The tribe comprises approximately 20 genera including Pyrophorus, Ignelater, and Pyrearinus. Members are known for producing light through specialized organs, with larvae associated with phenomena such as 'luminescent termite mounds' and 'luminous canga caves' in South America. The tribe is believed to be monophyletic and is closely related to Anaissini, which contains some but not all bioluminescent species.
Saprinus
clown beetles
Saprinus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae, containing more than 200 described species. Members are found on every continent except Antarctica. The genus includes species associated with carrion, dung, and other decaying organic matter, where they function as predators of other small insects. Some species have specialized associations with ants or termites.
Zyras
Zyras is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Lomechusini) comprising over 100 described species distributed primarily across the Palaearctic and Oriental regions. Species within this genus exhibit diverse ecological associations, including myrmecophilous and termitophilous lifestyles. The genus is taxonomically complex, with ongoing revisions addressing synonymies and species boundaries. Several species possess specialized tergal glands that produce chemical secretions facilitating integration into host colonies.