Cerylonidae

Common name:

Number of species:

5

Size Range:

1-3mm

Tarsi:

3-3-3, 4-4-4.

Images:

  • Cerylon fagi
  • Cerylon ferrugineum
  • Cerylon histeroides

Description: 

There are five British representatives of family Cerylonidae: two Murmidius species found in stored products and three Cerylon species which occur in decaying ancient hardwood trees, particularly oak and beech.  They are thought to feed on the hyphae of fungi and slime moulds, and all are dark, elongate-oval, and small (1-3mm long).