[1] A characteristic separating latridiids from other beetles is that each leg ends in a tarsus with three segments (tarsal formula 3-3-3).

Latridiinae are glabrous, rarely have erect setae, their dorsal surfaces are often heavily sculptured, and the pronotal side margin is usually smooth.

Corticariinae are finely pubescent, usually have recumbent setae, their dorsal surfaces never have heavy sculpture, and the pronotal side margin is usually serrate.

[2] These beetles and their larvae are obligate feeders on the hyphae and spores of fungi, moulds and mildews.

They occur in damp places where such fungi are found, under bark, in leaf litter, in decaying plant material, in timber stacked outdoors, and in ant and termite nests.