Fire-coloured beetle


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 ; larvae reach. Larvae of Pyrochroinae are found associated with the bark of dead trees. They are probably mostly fungivorous, 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.
[image:Rotkopf1.jpg|thumb|280px|Pyrochroa serraticornis]

Genera

These 21 genera belong to the family Pyrochroidae:Agnathus Germar, 1818 gAnisotria Young, 1984 bCononotus Leconte, 1851 bDendroides Latreille, 1810 i c g bExocalopus Broun, 1893 gFrontodendroidopsis Young, 2004 gHemidendroides Ferrari, 1869 gLithomacratria Wickham, 1914 gMalagaethes Pollock, 1995 gNeopyrochroa Blair, 1914 g bPalaeopyrochroa Abdullah, 1965 gPedilus Fischer von Waldheim, 1820 i c g bPogonoceromorphus Pic, 1921 gPseudodendroides Blair, 1914 gPseudopyrochroa Pic, 1906 gPyrochroa Müller, 1764 gRanomafana Pollock, 1995 gSchizotus Newman, 1838 g bTechmessodes Broun, 1893 gTydessa 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 behaviour and qualities.