Tachyporines can be usually recognized by their tapering abdomen, but identification should be confirmed by the following combination of characters: abdomen with six sternites (Fig. 1.12.1), elytral epipleuron with a carina (Fig. 1.14.4), neck absent (Fig. 1.11.5), procoxae similar in shape to profemora (Fig. 1.12.6), antennomeres not extremely elongate (i.e., unlike Habrocerus), antennae inserted in front of the eyes (Fig. 1.12.2), pronotal margins smooth, and dorsal abdomen margined (Fig. 1.12.5) (except in one genus with a strongly tapered abdomen [Fig.1.14.2]).

April 14, 2023: In the above paragraph in the print (PDF) version of this article, the second and third figure references (elytral epipleuron and neck, respectively) are incorrect. These have been corrected in the web version above.

Tachyporines are widespread in North America and these small to medium-sized Staphylinidae are most often noticed as they disperse to their preferred microhabitat. Common species that are relatively general in their habitat requirements include Tachinus corticinus Gravenhorst, found in leaf litter, fields, decomposing organic matter, and under stones (Fig. 9.20.1), and Sepedophilus littoreus (L)., found in rotting wood, compost, flood debris, under loose bark, and in rotting fungi (Fig. 9.20.2); both species are native to Europe. Coproporus ventriculus (Say), is a very common native species found under the bark of both deciduous and coniferous trees, especially when slime moulds are present (Fig. 9.20.3). Sifting or flooding patches of leaves or very wet sphagnum moss near creeks, bogs, or waterfall areas will sometimes yield Nitidotachinus scrutator (Gemminger & Harold), (Fig. 9.20.4). Many genera of Tachyporinae, including the common Lordithon kelleyi (Mälkin) (Fig. 9.20.5), can be collected from various types of fungal fruiting bodies.  Some species of Tachyporus Gravenhorst inhabit prairies, old fields, and agricultural crops where they can by swept from the vegetation in the evening (Fig. 9.20.6). Tachyporines can also be found in dung, in carrion, and along the margins of lakes and ponds. They are readily sampled from litter and fungi using a sifter. Some tachyporines are exclusively predaceous or mycophagous but many appear to be largely opportunistic on both arthropods and fungi.