The typical character is the large, enlarged hind leg hips (hip plates) that overlap much of the first abdominal article. The body is elliptical to oval, convex, often black or brown. The head is small and bent downwards (hypognathic) so that it is partially hidden under the prethorax when viewed from above. Adults and larvae live in decaying detritus, under fungi, in dead wood or under bark, where they feed on fungi. When threatened, they perform the typical escape manoeuvre of performing rapid 'somersaults'. This behaviour has not gone unnoticed and is behind the German name for the entire family - "Purzelkäfer".

Number of Species:

Family Card

Eucinetus haemorrhoidalis