Fire-coloured beetles is the common name for members of the tenebrionoid family Pyrochroidae. The family is found worldwide, and is most diverse at temperate latitudes. Adults measure 2-20 mm; larvae reach 35 mm. Larvae of Pyrochroinae are found associated with the bark of dead trees. They are probably mostly

fungivorous Fungivory or mycophagy is the process of organisms consuming fungi. Many different organisms have been recorded to gain their energy from consuming fungi, including birds, mammals, insects, plants, amoebas, gastropods, nematodes, bacteria and othe ...

, although they may become cannibalistic if too crowded. This family contains some 150 species in 30 genera. The males of many species in the subfamily Pyrochroinae have comb- or antler-like antennae. This family also now includes most former members of the defunct family Pedilidae. 280px, ''Pyrochroa serraticornis''

Genera

These 21 genera belong to the family Pyrochroidae: * '' Agnathus'' Germar, 1818^g * '' Anisotria'' Young, 1984^b * '' Cononotus'' Leconte, 1851^b * '' Dendroides'' Latreille, 1810^{i c g b} * '' Exocalopus'' Broun, 1893^g * '' Frontodendroidopsis'' Young, 2004^g * '' Hemidendroides'' Ferrari, 1869^g * '' Lithomacratria'' Wickham, 1914^g * '' Malagaethes'' Pollock, 1995^g * '' Neopyrochroa'' Blair, 1914^{g b} * '' Palaeopyrochroa'' Abdullah, 1965^g * '' Pedilus'' Fischer von Waldheim, 1820^{i c g b} * '' Pogonoceromorphus'' Pic, 1921^g * '' Pseudodendroides'' Blair, 1914^g * '' Pseudopyrochroa'' Pic, 1906^g * '' Pyrochroa'' Müller, 1764^g * '' Ranomafana'' Pollock, 1995^g * '' Schizotus'' Newman, 1838^{g b} * '' Techmessodes'' Broun, 1893^g * '' Tydessa'' Peacock, 1982^g Data sources: i = ITIS, c = Catalogue of Life, g = GBIF, b = Bugguide.net

Behaviour

Fire-coloured beetles are not considered harmful to humans, as they do not bite, sting, or secrete toxic chemicals. However, more research on these insects is needed to fully understand their behavior and qualities.

References

External links

* * {{Pyrochroidae-stub