The family Biphyllidae comprises small beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea, which are found predominantly in forest habitats of both temperate and tropical zones. Members of this family are usually very small, typically reaching a body length of approximately 1–3 mm. Their bodies are short, oval to slightly elongated, with fine hair and often a strikingly sculptured surface on the elytra. Colouring is predominantly brown to blackish-brown, sometimes with lighter spots. Typical features include relatively short, club-shaped antennae and a robust body structure, adapted to life in hidden microhabitats. Beetles of this family live primarily under bark, in decaying wood, in wood-decaying fungi or in detritus, where they feed mainly on fungal mycelium and spores. Both larvae and adults are therefore considered mycophagous. The family comprises only a small number of genera and species, yet it has an almost cosmopolitan distribution and forms part of specialised communities of organisms associated with decaying wood.

Number of Species:

Family Card

Biphyllus frater

 

Biphyllus lunatus

 

Diplocoelus fagi