Zopheridae
Guides
Zopherinae
ironclad beetles
Zopherinae is a subfamily of beetles commonly known as ironclad beetles, characterized by exceptionally hardened exoskeletons. The subfamily currently contains eight genera across two tribes: seven genera in Zopherini and the monotypic genus Phellopsis in its own tribe Phellopsini. Historically treated as a family alongside Usechinae, Zopherinae is now classified within the expanded family Zopheridae. These beetles are primarily associated with rotting wood and are known to be fungivores.
Zopherini
A tribe of beetles within the family Zopheridae, characterized by heavily sclerotized bodies and a primarily New World distribution. The tribe comprises multiple genera including Noserinus, Nosoderma, Phloeodes, Sesaspis, and Verodes. A 2008 phylogenetic analysis revised the generic classification, elevated Sesaspis from synonymy, and described two new Central American species.
Zopherus championi
Zopherus championi is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae. It was described by Triplehorn in 1972 and occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Zopherus, it is adapted to wood-boring and possesses the heavily sclerotized exoskeleton characteristic of ironclad beetles.
Zopherus elegans
ironclad beetle
Zopherus elegans is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae. It is native to North America. The species was described by Horn in 1870. Like other members of the genus Zopherus, it is characterized by an exceptionally hardened exoskeleton.
Zopherus gracilis
ironclad beetle
Zopherus gracilis is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae, first described by Horn in 1867. It belongs to a genus of beetles adapted to wood-boring, with members distributed across the Americas. The genus Zopherus comprises 19 species, some of which have been historically used as living brooches due to their hard, durable exoskeletons.
Zopherus granicollis
ironclad beetle
Zopherus granicollis is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae, characterized by exceptionally hard, fused elytra that make specimens notoriously difficult to pin. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with two recognized subspecies: Z. g. granicollis and Z. g. ventriosus. Like other members of the genus, it exhibits nocturnal activity on tree trunks, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
Zopherus granicollis ventriosus
Zopherus granicollis ventriosus is a subspecies of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae. Like other members of the genus, it possesses an exceptionally hard, heavily sclerotized exoskeleton that makes specimens notoriously difficult to pin for museum collections. The subspecies is distributed across parts of North America and Middle America. Adults are nocturnal and have been observed crawling on tree trunks at night, particularly conifers. The genus Zopherus is well-known among coleopterists for its extreme body armor and the challenges this poses for specimen preparation.
Zopherus nodulosus haldemani
Texas Ironclad Beetle
Zopherus nodulosus haldemani, commonly known as the Texas Ironclad Beetle, is a subspecies of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae. These beetles are renowned for their exceptionally hard, heavily sclerotized exoskeletons that make them notoriously difficult to pin for collection. The species exhibits nocturnal activity patterns, with adults frequently observed on tree trunks at night. The subspecies name honors American entomologist Samuel Stehman Haldeman.
Zopherus tristis
ironclad beetle
Zopherus tristis is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae. The species is characterized by an exceptionally dense, well-armored exoskeleton that makes specimens difficult to pin for collection. It occurs in Central America and North America. The family Zopheridae was formerly classified within Tenebrionidae (darkling beetles) but is now recognized as distinct.