Family: Trogossitidae
Subfamily: Trogossitinae
Length: most 6-11 mm
Beetles in the genus Tenebroides have a large head. The pronotum is much wider than long, and is wider at the apex than at the base. The sides of the pronotum are curved.
Some members of the genus are pests of stored products, but most are predators that hunt in the galleries of wood-boring beetles. They may also feed on the fungi found in decaying wood.
Researchers have found large amounts of zinc and manganese in the larvae of Tenebroides species that chew into seeds (the pests of stored products mentioned above). The metallic content of the mandibles helps the larvae cut through the seeds tough surface.
