Tropical-beetles
Guides
Batriasymmodes
Batriasymmodes is a genus of minute rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae, described by Orlando Park in 1951. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Batrisini, a diverse group of small beetles often associated with leaf litter and soil habitats. The genus is part of the hyperdiverse Pselaphinae, one of the most species-rich subfamilies of Staphylinidae, though individual species remain poorly documented in public databases. Observations of this genus are extremely sparse, with only five records in iNaturalist as of the available data.
Dynastinae
Rhinoceros beetles, Hercules beetles, unicorn beetles, horn beetles
Dynastinae is a subfamily of Scarabaeidae containing over 1,500 species across 225 genera, commonly known as rhinoceros beetles. Members are characterized by prominent horns on males of most species, used in combat for mating access. The subfamily includes some of the largest beetles, with species reaching over 15 cm in length. Despite their formidable appearance, they are harmless to humans.
Dynastini
True Rhinoceros Beetles
Dynastini is a tribe of large scarab beetles commonly known as true rhinoceros beetles. The group includes some of the largest and most iconic beetles in the world, with males typically bearing prominent horns on the head and pronotum used in combat. Notable genera include Dynastes (Hercules beetles), Megasoma, and Golofa. Members are primarily tropical and subtropical in distribution, with some species reaching temperate regions of North America.
Euxestus
Euxestus is a genus of small beetles in the family Euxestidae, established by Wollaston in 1858. The genus comprises six described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Members are characterized by their highly polished, smooth elytra. The genus is part of the superfamily Coccinelloidea within the diverse suborder Polyphaga.
Helluonini
Flat-horned Ground Beetles
Helluonini is a tribe of ground beetles within the subfamily Anthiinae, containing more than 20 genera and approximately 190 described species. Members are distributed across tropical and subtropical regions including the Oriental, Ethiopian, and Palaearctic realms. The tribe includes medium-sized beetles (8–17 mm) with characteristic elongate bodies, coarse punctation, and pubescence. The genus Macrocheilus, the most speciose in the tribe with 56 species, exemplifies the group's morphological diversity across Africa, Asia, and Madagascar.
Leptotrachelus
Leptotrachelus is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) in the tribe Ctenodactylini, subfamily Ctenodactylinae. The genus contains more than 30 described species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated body form and are part of the diverse ground beetle fauna that function as predators in soil and leaf litter habitats.
Lycinae
net-winged beetles
Lycinae is a subfamily of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae) containing approximately 11 tribes and numerous genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Members are characterized by their soft, flexible elytra with prominent net-like venation. The subfamily includes familiar genera such as Lycus, Calopteron, and Macrolycus. Many species exhibit aposematic (warning) coloration, often in orange, red, or black patterns.
Macratriinae
antlike flower beetles
Macratriinae is a subfamily of antlike flower beetles (family Anthicidae) established by LeConte in 1862. The subfamily contains at least two genera: Macratria Newman, 1838 and Thambospasta Werner, 1974. Species diversity is concentrated in tropical regions, with significant representation in the Papuan Region, Wallacea, and the Americas. Recent taxonomic work has substantially expanded the known species count, with over 30 described species recognized.
Macrotomini
Macrotomini is a tribe of longhorn beetles within the subfamily Prioninae. Members are generally large, robust beetles with prominent mandibles. The tribe is distributed across multiple continents with greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Many species are associated with woody vegetation and are of interest to collectors due to their size and distinctive morphology.
Odacanthini
Odacanthini is a tribe of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, comprising more than 40 genera and over 680 described species. The tribe exhibits broad geographic distribution across tropical and subtropical regions including the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Several genera within Odacanthini, such as Colliuris, Ophionea, and Dobodura, have been subject to recent taxonomic revision due to their morphological diversity and complex species boundaries.
Osoriinae
Osoriinae is a subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing over 100 genera organized into multiple tribes. The subfamily is predominantly tropical and subtropical in distribution, with species occurring in leaf litter, under bark, in ant nests, and in tree canopies. Many species exhibit flattened body forms adapted for moving through confined spaces.
Perigonini
Perigonini is a tribe of small ground beetles within the subfamily Lebiinae of Carabidae. The tribe contains four genera—Perigona, Diploharpus, Mizotrechus, and Ripogenites—and more than 200 described species. Members are primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The tribe was established by G.Horn in 1881.
Pocadius
hairy puffball beetle
Pocadius is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Erichson in 1843. The genus comprises approximately 47 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with particularly high diversity in Central and South America. Species were historically underdescribed, with a major revision in 2008 expanding the genus from nine to 47 recognized species. The genus includes both described larvae and adults, with some species associated with fungal substrates.
Strongylium
darkling beetles
Strongylium is a large genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae: Stenochiinae) containing more than 1,400 described species, making it one of the most species-rich genera in both the family and subfamily. The genus exhibits a broad tropical and subtropical distribution across the Old and New Worlds, with particularly high diversity in the Neotropics (over 300 species). Species-level identification is challenging due to the genus's size and morphological diversity, often requiring specialist knowledge or detailed examination.
Tyrina
Tyrina is a subtribe of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) within the subfamily Pselaphinae. It was established by Reitter in 1882 and contains approximately 35 described genera distributed primarily across tropical and subtropical regions, with notable diversity in Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. Members of this subtribe are small, often myrmecophilous beetles that inhabit leaf litter and soil microhabitats. The subtribe is part of the tribe Tyrini, one of the major lineages of the hyperdiverse ant-loving beetle subfamily Pselaphinae.