HISTER BEETLE

any member of the approximately 2,500 species of the insect family Histeridae (order Coleoptera). Hister beetles are carnivorous and are usually found around carrion, fungi, or dung. They are shiny black, oval, and from 0.5 to 10 mm (0.02 to 0.4 inch) long. The hister beetle's wing covers (elytra) are short, leaving the last two abdominal segments exposed. When disturbed, these beetles lie motionless, resembling tiny black seeds.