Number of species
3
Size Range
1-2mm
Tarsal formula
4-4-4
Weakly lobed
Images:
Description
A small family with just three British species: the Hylophilidae or Xylophilidae of older literature. Small (1.5-2.5mm) beetles, they are thought to breed in the heartwood of trees attacked by red rot, particularly oaks (Quercus spp.). Adults are similar to miniature Cerambycidae in appearance, and have prominent eyes. Vanonus brevicornis (Perris) is the rarest of the group, with a handful of records scattered across southern England.