Endomychids

Endomychids are a family of beetles known as the handsome fungus beetles. They are a relatively small family, with over 1300 species described worldwide. These beetles are typically found in damp, decaying wood, under bark, or in fungi, where they feed on fungal hyphae or spores. Their coloration can vary, but many species exhibit bright, often metallic, colors.

The morphology of endomychids is diverse, but they generally possess an oval or elongate-oval body shape. Their antennae are often 11-segmented and may be filiform, serrate, or weakly clavate. The pronotum is usually wider than the head and can be sculptured or smooth. The elytra often cover the abdomen completely.

Endomychids play a role in their ecosystems as decomposers, contributing to the breakdown of wood and other organic matter. Some species are considered pests of cultivated mushrooms, while others are harmless. Their life cycles typically involve eggs laid in fungal material, followed by larval stages that also feed on fungi, and finally a pupal stage before emerging as adults. Due to their specific habitat requirements, endomychids can be indicators of healthy forest environments. Research on this family continues to uncover new species and ecological interactions.