Handsome Fungus Beetle

Handsome fungus beetles (Endomychidae) are a family of beetles with representatives found everywhere on earth. There are about 1300 known species. One of the North American representatives is Phymaphora pulchella, a tiny insect (3-4mm long) with a dark spot above its head, and another dark band across its back. It has yellow legs and antennae, and the particularly ‘handsome’ males have antennae with swollen tips.

As said handsome fungus beetles occur all over the world, but this species is native to North America. These beetles feed on fungus that grows under the bark of trees. Phymaphora pulchella is most commonly collected at fresh wounds in trees, although the reason for that is still a mystery to entomologists.