Hairy Fungus Beetle
Typhaea stercorea
This record describes Typhaea stercorea (species). Recorded family: Mycetophagidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Det. E.G. Riley, 2010 Secondary pest of stored grain/seeds, tobacco, peanuts, and cacao
Identification notes
Det. E.G. Riley, 2010
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Mycetophagidae (Hairy Fungus Beetles)
- Tribe
- Typhaeini
- Genus
- Typhaea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
occurs both outdoors and in association with various stored products: corn fields (on decaying kernels), warehouses, stores, flour mills, mangers, dairy barns, dwellings, and granaries in stored grain and seeds, tobacco, peanuts, cacao, corn, millet, wheat, apricots, and moldy grape skins; also in nests of swans and moorhens
Geographic Range
Cosmopolitan (of Palaearctic origin), adventive in NA, widespread - Map
Seasonal Activity
Apr-Nov (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: mold feeder (associated with poor storage conditions)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Typhaea stercorea (Linnaeus 1758)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Typhaea stercorea. 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 Fungus Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jim McClarin; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Robin McLeod , Bbarnd , Mike Quinn , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Hairy Fungus Beetle
What is Hairy Fungus Beetle?
Hairy Fungus Beetle (Typhaea stercorea) is a species in the family Mycetophagidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Hairy Fungus Beetle?
2.2–3.0 mm
How do you identify Hairy Fungus Beetle?
Det. E.G. Riley, 2010
Where is Hairy Fungus Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | occurs both outdoors and in association with various stored products: corn fields (on decaying kernels), warehouses, stores, flour mills, mangers, dairy barns, dwellings, and granaries in stored grain and seeds, tobacco, peanuts, cacao, corn, millet, wheat, apricots, and moldy grape skins; also in nests of swans and moorhens |
| Range | Cosmopolitan (of Palaearctic origin), adventive in NA, widespread - Map |
What does Hairy Fungus Beetle eat?
The diet of the Hairy Fungus Beetle includes mold feeder (associated with poor storage conditions).
When is Hairy Fungus Beetle active?
Hairy Fungus Beetle: seasonal activity - Apr-Nov (BG data).