Under-bark
Guides
Ahasverus longulus
Ahasverus longulus is a species of silvanid flat bark beetle in the family Silvanidae, first described by Blatchley in 1910. It is known from North America, with documented records from Canada including New Brunswick, Ontario, and Québec. As a member of Silvanidae, it is associated with bark and wood habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited.
Aradus nr. debilis
Aradus nr. debilis (CA-AZ) represents a nearctic population of the flat bug genus Aradidae, occurring in California and Arizona. This putative species belongs to a taxonomically challenging complex within Aradus, characterized by flattened bodies adapted for life under bark. The 'nr.' designation indicates morphological proximity to A. debilis while acknowledging unresolved taxonomic status pending further study.
Biphyllidae
False Skin Beetles
Biphyllidae, commonly known as false skin beetles, is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cleroidea. The family contains approximately 195 described species distributed globally except New Zealand. Members are primarily found in concealed microhabitats including under bark of dead trees and in leaf litter. The family includes 11 extant genera plus one fossil genus from Late Cretaceous Taimyr amber.
Calliodis
Calliodis is a genus of minute pirate bugs in the family Anthocoridae, established by Reuter in 1871. The genus is placed in the tribe Scolopini. At least one species, C. maculipennis, has been documented to reproduce by constant parthenogenesis. Adults of C. temnostethoides have been observed in dead-leaf clusters of black oak following wind disturbance events.
Cathartosilvanus vulgaris
Cathartosilvanus vulgaris is a species of silvanid flat bark beetle in the family Silvanidae. Members of this genus are associated with decomposing plant material and are frequently found under bark, in rotting wood, and in similar moist, concealed habitats. The species is part of a group of beetles commonly known as flat bark beetles due to their dorsoventrally flattened body form, which allows them to exploit narrow spaces under bark and in other tight crevices. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Charaphloeus flavosignatus
lined flat bark beetle
Charaphloeus flavosignatus is a species of lined flat bark beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, a group characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies adapted for living under bark. The species was described by Schäffer in 1910. It is known from North America. Like other members of its family, it likely inhabits dead or dying wood where it feeds on fungal hyphae.
Cucujus clavipes
Red Flat Bark Beetle, Flat Bark Beetle
Cucujus clavipes, the red flat bark beetle, is a saproxylic beetle distributed across North America with two recognized subspecies: C. c. clavipes in the east and C. c. puniceus in the west. The species is notable for extreme cold tolerance, particularly in the western subspecies whose larvae can survive temperatures down to -100°C through deep supercooling and vitrification. Adults are active primarily in spring and summer and are found under bark of dead hardwood trees.
Hammerschmidtia rufa
black-bristled logsitter
Hammerschmidtia rufa, known as the black-bristled logsitter, is an uncommon syrphid fly species distributed across North America. Adults are flower flies that visit flowers for nectar and pollen. The species has been found in association with deciduous trees, with larvae occurring under bark. It was originally described as Hammerschmidtia ferruginea by Curran.
Hololepta minuta
clown beetle
Hololepta minuta is a species of clown beetle (family Histeridae) first described by Erichson in 1834. It belongs to the genus Hololepta, a group characterized by their flattened, compact bodies adapted for living in tight spaces. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Central America and into South America, including Caribbean islands.
Hololepta populnea
clown beetle
Hololepta populnea is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The species is distributed across southwestern United States and Mexico, extending into Central America. As a member of the genus Hololepta, it exhibits the characteristic flattened body form adapted for life under bark and in tight spaces. The specific epithet 'populnea' suggests an association with Populus (poplar/cottonwood) trees, though this host relationship requires confirmation.
Laemophloeus biguttatus
Two-spotted Flat Bark Beetle
Laemophloeus biguttatus is a species of lined flat bark beetle in the family Laemophloeidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, with records extending to British Columbia. As a member of Laemophloeidae, it belongs to a group commonly known as flat bark beetles due to their dorsoventrally compressed bodies adapted for living under bark.
Laemophloeus fasciatus
Square-spotted Flat Bark Beetle, lined flat bark beetle
Laemophloeus fasciatus is a species of flat bark beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, commonly known as the Square-spotted Flat Bark Beetle. It is native to North America and has been recorded from multiple Canadian provinces including Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. As a member of the lined flat bark beetles, it inhabits the spaces beneath tree bark.
Mezira froeschneri
Mezira froeschneri is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, described in 1996 from North American specimens. Like other aradids, it has a highly flattened body adapted for living in tight spaces under bark. The species is known from only a handful of observations, reflecting the cryptic habits and difficulty of sampling this group.
Mezira subsetosa
Mezira subsetosa is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae. Members of this family are characterized by their extremely flattened bodies, an adaptation for living in tight spaces under bark and in decaying wood. The species has been documented in North America with over 800 observations, suggesting it is relatively common within its range. Like other aradids, it is presumed to feed on fungal hyphae in dead wood, though specific dietary studies for this species are lacking.
Microtomus purcis
Eastern White-winged Assassin, bark assassin bug
Microtomus purcis is a strikingly colored assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, found in North America. The species is notable for its aposematic coloration—black body with creamy-white wing bases and bright red abdominal segments and hind legs. Despite its conspicuous appearance, it is primarily nocturnal and spends daylight hours concealed under loose bark of dead trees. The species has been documented from the Ozark Highlands and surrounding regions, with adult activity recorded from September through March and nymphs found in late autumn.
Namunaria
Namunaria is a genus of cylindrical bark beetles in the family Zopheridae, established by Edmund Reitter in 1882. The genus contains at least two confirmed species in North America (N. guttulata and N. pacifica), with additional species reported from Australia, Asia, and other regions. These beetles are characterized by their cylindrical body form, an adaptation for living under bark. The genus belongs to the diverse group of bark beetles within Zopheridae, though specific biological details remain poorly documented for most species.
Parandrita cephalotes
lined flat bark beetle
Parandrita cephalotes is a species of lined flat bark beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, first described by LeConte in 1854. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus of small beetles typically found under bark. The species epithet "cephalotes" refers to its head characteristics. Like other members of Laemophloeidae, it is likely associated with dead or decaying wood habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pediacus andrewsi
Andrews' flat bark beetle
Pediacus andrewsi is a species of flat bark beetle in the family Cucujidae, first described by Thomas in 2004. It is native to North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. As a member of the flat bark beetle family, it is presumed to inhabit the spaces beneath bark on trees, where members of this family typically feed on fungal spores and other small organic particles.
Phloeocharinae
Phloeocharinae is a subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) characterized by distinctive abdominal tergal combs and procoxal morphology. The group contains five genera and six species in North America, with the genus Phloeocharis dominating the European fauna. Members are primarily saproxylic, inhabiting damp forest environments under bark and in leaf litter. The biology of most species remains poorly known.
Piestus
flat rove beetles
Piestus is a genus of flat rove beetles established by Gravenhorst in 1806. The genus contains more than 30 described species and is classified within the subfamily Piestinae of the family Staphylinidae. Members of this genus are characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened body form, an adaptation associated with their habitat preferences. The genus is part of the diverse rove beetle fauna, though specific ecological details for most species remain poorly documented.
Platysoma aequum
clown beetle
Platysoma aequum is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. The genus Platysoma comprises small predatory beetles that inhabit spaces beneath bark, where they hunt other insects. This species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the eastern and central United States. As with other histerid beetles, it likely plays a role in controlling populations of fly and beetle larvae in dead and decaying wood.
Platysoma gracile
clown beetle
Platysoma gracile is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by LeConte in 1844. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and the eastern United States (New Hampshire to Oklahoma and South Carolina). Like other histerid beetles, it is a small predatory species that lives under bark.
Platysoma punctigerum
clown beetle
Platysoma punctigerum is a small predatory beetle in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles. The species occurs in western North America and has been documented under bark of coniferous trees, particularly in association with logging operations and freshly cut pine logs. As a member of the genus Platysoma, it is presumed to be a predator of other insects, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Rhabdophloeus horni
lined flat bark beetle
Rhabdophloeus horni is a species of lined flat bark beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, first described by Casey in 1884. The species is found in North America. Members of this family are characterized by their flattened body form, an adaptation for living beneath bark. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Teucholabis
Teucholabis is a genus of small crane flies in the family Limoniidae, established by Osten Sacken in 1860. The genus contains numerous species distributed across multiple subgenera, with immature stages of at least some species being xylobiont (wood-dwelling). Larvae have been documented living under bark among bast fibers of host trees. Adult morphology and ecological details remain poorly documented for most species.
Trogossitinae
Trogossitinae is a subfamily of beetles within the family Trogossitidae, first described by Latreille in 1802. Members of this subfamily are primarily associated with forest habitats and are often found under bark or in decaying wood. The group has been the subject of taxonomic revision, with a comprehensive review published in 2014. The subfamily contains multiple genera and is part of the cleroid beetle lineage within the superfamily Cleroidea.
Xylomya terminalis
Xylomya terminalis is a species of wood soldier fly in the family Xylomyidae, described by Vasey in 1977. The species is known from the eastern United States, with records from Vermont and other states. Xylomyidae are predatory flies whose larvae develop in decaying wood and under bark. Adults are typically found in woodland habitats.