The Melandryidae are a small to medium-sized family of beetles within the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, whose members are a typical component of saproxylic insect communities. Most species are closely associated with decaying and dead wood, particularly wood infested with fungal mycelium, as well as wood-decaying fungi, rotten wood and spaces beneath loose bark. Whilst the larvae develop in decaying wood or fungal fruiting bodies, the adults live under the bark of old trees, on branches overgrown with fungi and sometimes even on flowers. The beetles have an elongated to oval-elongated, slender body, which may be parallel-sided or taper towards the rear end. They are usually brown, black or reddish-brown in colour, though some species have contrasting patterns with yellow, red or orange spots on their elytra. They are predominantly forest species found in both deciduous and mixed forests, associated with old trees, stumps and damp habitats where fungi are present. Many species are active at dusk or at night, so even relatively widespread members of the family often go unnoticed. The family is significant primarily as an indicator of the preservation of old-growth forests and the continuity of deadwood.

Number of Species:

Family Card

Abdera biflexuosa

 

Abdera affinis

 

Abdera flexuosa

 

Anisoxya fuscula

 

Dircaea australis

 

Phloiotrya rufipes

 

Phloiotrya subtilis

 

Phloiotrya tenuis

 

Wanachia triguttata

 

Hypulus bifasciatus

 

Hypulus quercinus

 

Melandrya barbata

 

Melandrya caraboides

 

Melandrya dubia

 

Phryganophilus auritus

 

Phryganophilus ruficollis

 

Orchesia blandula

 

Orchesia fasciata

 

Orchesia grandicollis

 

Orchesia minor

 

Orchesia undulata

 

Orchesia fusiformis

 

Orchesia micans

 

Orchesia luteipalpis

 

Serropalpus barbatus

 

Dolotarsus lividus

 

Xylita laevigata

 

Zilora obscura

 

Conopalpus testaceus

 

Osphya bipunctata