Narrative

Snail Eaters (Cychrini Tribe) are a group of beetles that live on forest floors in damp areas. There is a large concentration of species in this tribe in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. These beetles typically feed on land snails. Their elongated head and mouth parts permit entry in snail shells to obtain their food.

The 1920 Leng list of North American beetles lists about 47 species. The Scaphinotus genus contains some of the larger species in the tribe, while the Sphaeroderus genus contains some of the smaller species. Per Leng, other genera found in North America are: Nomaretus, Maronetus, Pseudonomaretus, Phemphus, Brennus, Neocychrus, and Cychrus. (The Irichroa genus belongs in or near the Scaphintous genus.)

There have been additions and changes to the Leng list. These will be incorporated in the near future.

Taxonomy

References