Microsternus ulkei

Microsternus ulkei is a species of pleasing fungus beetle (family Erotylidae). In its family, it is placed in tribe Dacnini of subfamily Erotylinae, or in a distinct subfamily Dacninae if the Erotylinae are more narrowly circumscribed. M.ulkei is endemic to the northeastern (Atlantic) USA.

This is the only American member of its genus; all other Microsternus have a Pacific distribution, occurring from northeastern Asia (Japan and the adjacent mainland) to northeastern Australia. Pleasing fungus beetles are known to have a rather low capacity for long-range dispersal, with few species found on oceanic islands and many restricted-range endemics. Consequently, it is by no means certain that M.ulkei is congeneric with the Asian species traditionally allied with it, some of which are in fact separated as a distinct genus Neosternus by recent authors. As M.ulkei is the type species of Microsternus, however, it may well be that the genus is ultimately reduced to this species only.