Erotylidae

Common name
Pleasing fungus beetles
Number of species
8
Size Range
2-7mm
Tarsal formula
4-4-4
5-5-5
Lobed

Images:

  • Dacne bipustulata
  • Dacne rufifrons
  • Triplax aenea
  • Tritoma bipustulata
Description

This family is mainly tropical or subtropical in distribution and has only eight British members.  Small to medium-sized (3-6mm) elongate-oval beetles, most are red-orange and black, although Triplax spp. are metallic blue.  Fungal-feeders, members of this group can be found beneath fungoid bark or in fungi on trees, particularly bracket fungi.  Most species are largely nocturnal.