Hairy Cellar Beetle
Mycetaea subterranea
This record describes Mycetaea subterranea (species). Recorded family: Mycetaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Hairy Cellar Beetle (Mycetaea subterranea) is a species in the family Mycetaeidae, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the suborder Polyphaga, superfamily Coccinelloidea. This species belongs to the genus Mycetaea. Size: 1.5–1.8 mm. Found in stored products in mills/granaries/warehouses/cellars; in old tree trunks, caves, and bee hives.
Identification notes
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Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Mycetaeidae
- Genus
- Mycetaea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
stored products in mills/granaries/warehouses/cellars; in old tree trunks, caves, and bee hives
Geographic Range
native to the Palaearctic, adventive but widely distributed in n. NA (NF-BC to MD-WI-CA) and elsewhere in the world
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Zygomycete hyphae
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Mycetaea subterranea (Fabricius 1801)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Mycetaea subterranea. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Hairy Cellar Beetle (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Hairy Cellar Beetle
What is Hairy Cellar Beetle?
Hairy Cellar Beetle (Mycetaea subterranea) is a species in the family Mycetaeidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Hairy Cellar Beetle?
1.5–1.8 mm
How do you identify Hairy Cellar Beetle?
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Where is Hairy Cellar Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | stored products in mills/granaries/warehouses/cellars; in old tree trunks, caves, and bee hives |
| Range | native to the Palaearctic, adventive but widely distributed in n. NA (NF-BC to MD-WI-CA) and elsewhere in the world |
What does Hairy Cellar Beetle eat?
The diet of the Hairy Cellar Beetle includes Zygomycete hyphae.