Melandryidae

Common name:

False darkling beetles

Number of species:

17

Size Range:

3-15mm

Tarsi:

4-4-4, 5-5-4. Lobed or not.

Images:

  • Abdera affinis
  • Abdera flexuosa
  • Anisoxya fuscula
  • Conopalpus testaceus
  • Hypulus quercinus
  • Melandrya barbata
  • Melandrya caraboides
  • Orchesia micans
  • Orchesia minor
  • Orchesia undulata
  • Osphya bipunctata
  • Xylita laevigata
  • Zilora ferruginea

Description: 

17 species of small to medium-sized (3-16mm), oval to elongate-oval beetles, found in association with fungi and fungoid bark, particularly in ancient woodland.  Generally black or brown in colour, some are brightly coloured or patterned: Conopalpus testaceus (Olivier) has a bright orange pronotum while Osphya bipunctata (Fabricius) have a red and black striped pronotum and legs.  All the British species are rare, and all but Orchesia undulata Kraatz have conservation designations.