Bug FAQPunctured Hairy Fungus Beetle
Mycetophagus punctatus · Order: Coleoptera · Family: Mycetophagidae
Also called: hairy fungus beetle
The hairy fungus beetle measures about 4 to 5.5 cm long and has red-brown antennae that turn black toward the tips. It appears in North American homes where dampness and decaying organic matter are present, especially in bathrooms and kitchens during late summer to early fall.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Its antennae start red-brown and become black near the ends.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults are 4.0 to 5.5 cm long.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
They can be found in households when decaying matter and sufficient dampness are present.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
Applying fungicides can reduce their numbers.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
They live in homes that have decaying material and enough moisture. Moist places such as bathtubs, sinks, cellars, or any damp plant debris are common sites.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Populations increase in late summer through early fall in moist environments.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species occurs in North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 32 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Kansas, Maryland, Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Connecticut.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Where might I find them in my home?
Look for them in damp areas with decaying organic matter, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or basements.
Source: Wikipedia
What do they look like?
They are 4 to 5.5 cm long with red-brown antennae that turn black toward the tips.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Mycetophagidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycetophagus_punctatus
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-25 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-25.