Family: Endomychidae
Subfamily: Mycetaeinae
Length: 3-4 mm
This genus boasts only two species, one of which is found in West Virginia, Phymaphora pulchella. Look for the prominent black spot on the pronotum, the black band across the elytra, and the black elytral apices. The males have antennae swollen toward the apices. The legs and antennae are yellowish brown. This species feeds on the fungi that grow under bark.
Both photos are of mating Phymaphora pulchella, though in the photo above the male nearly conceals the female. In both photos, notice the male’s unusual antennae, swollen at the tips.
Insects of West Virginia
