The family Phloiophilidae comprises small beetles belonging to the superfamily Cleroidea within the order Coleoptera. It includes a single species that is predominantly associated with environments beneath tree bark. Both adults and larvae are usually found in the tunnels of other insects, particularly bark beetles and other species living in the phloem, where they likely act as predators or opportunistic saprophages. Beetles of this family are small, slender and flattened, which allows them to move through narrow spaces beneath the bark. Their colouration is usually inconspicuous, mostly brown to black. The antennae are relatively short and segmented, and the body is finely hairy. The sole species of the family is widespread in Europe in older deciduous and coniferous forests and is considered a relict element of saproxylic communities. Although this is a strikingly specialised group, its biology and ecology remain poorly understood.

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Family Card

Phloiophilus edwardsii