Only five species in Britain, similar in appearance to the Elateridae but smaller than most (1.5-3.5mm) and with antennae bearing three-segmented clubs.  Generally brown beetles, they fly readily, particularly on warm, still evenings, and come to light.  Only one species (Trixagus dermestoides (L.)) is known from either Scotland or Ireland.  This is the only species of Throscidae for which larval habits are known and it lives in the soil feeding on mycorrhizal fungi associated with the roots of various tree species.