Sap Feeding Beetle

The Nitidulidae are a Family of highly variable beetles in terms of body shape, size and coloring. Most are small, less than 12 mm. Often they are ovaloid or elongate, some have short or very short elytra, allowing the last segments of the abdomen to be clearly visible. The antennae have a mallet-like ending of three segments, some have the last segment of the hub antenna with a ring, which gives the impression of a mace of 4 segments. Most species are found on decaying plant material, feeding on fermenting juice. Some are on fungi or dead animals, some species are found in flowers. Some species of the genus Carpophilus are minor pests of corn.