Clown Beetles (Histeridae) - 276 Species, Identification & Facts

Acritus acaroides

Acritus acaroides (Acritus acaroides) is a species in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Abraeinae, tribe Acritini, suborder Polyphaga, superfamil

Acritus attaphilus

Type locality: TEXAS: Boerne, 10 feet down in nest of Atta texana (Kendall Co.)

Acritus komai

"most certainly introduced, but not well documented." --M.S. Caterino, pers. comm. to =v= 28.iii.2011

Aeletes politus

One of a few histerids collected regularly at UV lights

Atholus bimaculatus

Identification: black elytron with a large lateroposterior reddish area and a depression near each anterior angle of the pronotum Det. Jeff Gruber, 2007 earliest record in our area: 1825

Atholus duodecimstriatus

4.5-5mm. A black glossy species with the top of the mesosternum relatively straight or only weakly curved. Legs and antennae are dark red-brown. The pattern of stria on the elytra is distinctive. Found in a variety of habitats including dung and rott

Euspilotus assimilis

Identification: Differs from other congeners in the presence of a shallow impression in the anterior angles of the pronotum and a marginal sulcus on the pygidium (interrupted at the middle in the male) One of the commonest eastern histerids

Gopher Tortoise Hister Beetle

Geomysaprinus xerobatis

considered by FL to be a declining "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN)

Hister abbreviatus

Identification: Both subhumeral striae present on elytron

Hister coenosus

significant as a predator of the Horn Fly ( Haematobia irritans )

Hister unicolor

Length 8 to 10 mm. This is a fairly large, oval species that is uniformly black, but there are other similar members of this family, so detailed examination is necessary. All year round, but commonest in summer. Widely distributed throughout the Brit

Hololepta aequalis

Identification: stria along the edge of elytron hardly reaches ¼ the of elytral length from base (complete in H. lucida )

Hololepta lucida

Identification: stria on side of each elytron reaches the apex

Hololepta minuta

Introduced into Guam from Trinidad in 1953 and 1954 to control the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar).

Hypocaccus iris

Hypocaccus iris (Hypocaccus iris) is a species in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Saprininae, tribe Hypocaccini, suborder Polyphaga, superfamil

Iliotona cacti

Identification: Prosternum carinate, acutely produced anteriorly; teeth of meso- & metatibiae equally spaced separates Iliotona from Hololepta

Margarinotus confusus

Identification: Very similar to M. marginicollis. Male genitalia should be examined for accurate ID. Form of metepimeron also useful, but variable.

Margarinotus lecontei

Margarinotus lecontei (Margarinotus lecontei) is a species in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Histerinae, tribe Histerini, suborder Polyphaga,

Margarinotus merdarius

Size 6 or 7 mm. It has 4 'complete' dorsal stria on the elytra, an indented frontal stria on the head and most importantly, the pronotum is particularly characteristic for this species (compared to brunneus and striola) in not being so strongly curve

Margarinotus purpurascens

Identification: Elytra with ill-defined red blotches ( photo )

Margarinotus striola

Length 5 to 7 mm. One of a group of similar species which require detailed examination. They are typically found under or in carrion, rotting vegetation or dung etc. No additional images available for this species.

Margarinotus thomomysi

Identification: elytral striation is unique in being essentially complete

Margarinotus ventralis

Formerly known as Paralister carbonarius. Approx 6 mm long and 4 mm wide. This beetle has a rounded shape and is uniformly black with well separated lines of studded holes on the elytra. The shortened elytra leave two of the seven tergites exposed. T

Onthophilus striatus

A very small greyish beetle being only about 2 mm long, the elytra are deeply ridged. Under rotting plants, in manure, on carrion and fungi. All year but especially in spring and summer. Widespread and fairly frequent in England and Wales, less well

Paromalus seeversi

Paromalus seeversi (Paromalus seeversi) is a species in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Dendrophilinae, tribe Paromalini, suborder Polyphaga, s

Platysoma aurelianum

rare in collections Type Locality: New Orleans, Louisiana

Plegaderus sayi

Identification: Elytra with sparse round punctures, some discal ones tending to coalesce longitudinally

Saprinus semistriatus

A blackish beetle measuring 3.5 to 5.5 mm. Usually found on carcasses of animals or birds, occasionally on dung. Widespread but occasional in Britain possibly under recorded. No additional images available for this species.

Spilodiscus flohri

Spilodiscus flohri (Spilodiscus flohri) is a species in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Histerinae, tribe Histerini, suborder Polyphaga, superf

Teretrius obliquulus

Identification: The longer mesosternum with 5-6 punctures along midline (vs. 2-3 in orbus) separates this species. Teretrius obliquulus also tends to be a bit larger and longer, also being a bit more finely punctate dorsally, but they are both in the

Teretrius orbus

Identification: a strange species with body form more like a Teretriosoma . The impressed humeral striae are also diagnostic for this species, and are absent from most other Teretrius in the US. (per William B. Warner, 17 July, 2012) Type Locality: P

Ulkeus intricatus

In subfamily Hetaeriinae. All Hetaeriinae are myrmecophiles, hence their weirdness (hairiness, color, etc.). They're all pretty rare. - Michael Caterino