Species Tachyporus nitidulus

Tachyporus nitidulus (Fabricius, 1781)

Synonyms: (1)

2.4-3mm

More accurate length is 1.1 to 1.4 mm (measured from apex of head to apex of elytra) (1)

Extremely variable species. Very small (head to elytra length 1.1 to 1.4 mm). Light yellowish to dark reddish-brown, sometimes darker. Head often darker than pronotum and elytra. Elytra usually lighter than pronotum and head. Pubescence of elytra and abdomen fine and dense. Pronotum glabrous, shiny. Apical segment of maxillary palps not longer than width of preceding segment. May have fully developed wings or reduced nonfunctional wings. (1)

Native to, and occurs throughout, the Palaearctic; long established in our area and occurs over much of North America. Most abundant Tachyporus in North America. (1)(2)(3) (map)

State/Province Records: (1)(4)

Known habitats in Europe include under rotting materials (such as stacks of hay/straw, compost, mushrooms, leaf litter, and moss) and often swept from flowers and bushes. Usually favors moist habitats, and common in river debris. (1)

In North America it is known from similar, usually moist, habitats: leaf litter, clumps of grass and moss, debris from rotting logs and stumps, beaver lodges, and mammal nests (such as marmots and Microtus pennsylvanicus). (1)

Adults have been collected year-round, but most commonly late summer and early fall. (1)

Generalist predator. (1)

Immatures unknown (?)

first detected in NA: IN 1834(2)