Pseudischyrus extricatus

Pseudischyrus extricatus is a tiny species of pleasing fungus beetle (family Erotylidae) endemic to the USA. Within its family, this beetle is placed in subfamily Tritominae, or – in taxonomic arrangements that prefer a more comprehensive subfamily Erotylinae – in tribe Tritomini of the Erotylinae.

This beetle looks highly similar to the closely related pleasing fungus beetle Tritoma angulata, whose range overlaps with that of P.extricatus. They differ in the structure of their genitalia, and – visible with a powerful magnifying glass without harming the beetle – the ommatidia of their compound eyes, which are comparatively huge in P.extricatus and much smaller in T.angulata. This difference is also relevant because it indicates that T.angulata is diurnal or crepuscular, while P.extricatus is decidedly nocturnal.

From its congeners, this species can only be distinguished by anatomical details, namely the exact shape of the prosternum, and some features of their genitalia.