Termitophily
Guides
Aderidae
ant-like leaf beetles
Aderidae is a family of small beetles commonly known as ant-like leaf beetles due to their resemblance to ants. The family contains approximately 1,000 species in about 40–50 genera, with greatest diversity in tropical regions but worldwide distribution. Adults are typically found on the undersides of leaves, while larvae inhabit rotting wood, leaf litter, and occasionally the nests of other insects. The oldest confirmed fossil member, Gryzmalia, dates to the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.
Aleocharinae
rove beetles
Aleocharinae is the largest subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae), containing over 12,000 described species across more than 1,000 genera and 52 tribes. Members are predominantly small to minute beetles, typically 3–5 mm in length, with highly variable morphology reflecting their diverse ecological specializations. The subfamily exhibits extraordinary biological diversity, including free-living, myrmecophilous, termitophilous, parasitic, predatory, fungivorous, and herbivorous forms distributed across all terrestrial habitats worldwide.
Ceratocanthinae
Pill Scarab Beetles
Ceratocanthinae is a subfamily of scarabaeoid beetles within Hybosoridae, comprising approximately 366 species in 43 genera distributed across three tribes. These small beetles (2.0–10.0 mm) are renowned for their unique ability to perform complete conglobation—rolling their body into a tight ball by curling three body trunk segments and folding their tibiae. This defensive behavior, which evolved once in the Mesozoic, represents the only known complete conglobation in insects and is supported by specialized exoskeletal structures and thickened, mechanically reinforced dorsal cuticle.
Phloeoporina
Phloeoporina is a subtribe of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) within the tribe Oxypodini and subfamily Aleocharinae. These beetles are small, typically myrmecophilous or termitophilous, living in association with ants or termites. The subtribe was established by Thomson in 1859 and contains multiple genera distributed primarily in the Holarctic region. Members are characterized by morphological adaptations for life in social insect colonies.
Saprininae
clown beetles
Saprininae is a subfamily of clown beetles within the family Histeridae, comprising over 50 genera and approximately 800 described species. The group is globally distributed but shows notable biogeographic variation, with particular diversity in arid and coastal habitats. Members exhibit diverse ecological associations, including free-living predators, myrmecophiles, and termitophiles.
Staphylinina
Staphylinina is a subtribe of rove beetles within the tribe Staphylinini, family Staphylinidae. Members are typically medium to large-sized rove beetles with elongated bodies and relatively short elytra that leave much of the abdomen exposed. The subtribe includes genera such as Platydracus, Staphylinus, Ocypus, Agelosus, and Naddia. Several species have been documented exhibiting specialized behaviors including ant-mimicry and termitophily. The group has a cosmopolitan distribution with significant diversity in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions.
Staphylinini
Staphylinini is a tribe of large rove beetles within the family Staphylinidae. The tribe contains at least 20 genera and approximately 120 described species. Members are distributed across multiple biogeographic regions, with documented occurrences in the Palaearctic, Neotropical, and Oriental regions. Some species exhibit specialized ecological associations, including termitophily.