Tefflus is a genus of large, black and flightless Afrotropical ground beetles in the tribe Panagaeini. They are broadly similar to the Anthiini ('oogpisters'), but are not colourful, and have a six-sided and flattish pronotum. The distinct longitudinal carinae (ridges) on their elytra are separated by two rows of punctures running along the striae (grooves). Males have some segments of the forelegs enlarged.
They are solitary and mostly nocturnal hunters, that move about at a brisk pace. They have strong mandibles that can inflict a serious bite, and prey on a variety of invertebrates. The last revision of the genus was undertaken in 1946.
Species Some 14 to 15 species are native to the Afrotropics:
Tefflus angustipes Kolbe, 1903 Tefflus brevicostatus Quedenfeldt, 1883 – Tanzania Tefflus camerunus Kolbe, 1903 Tefflus carinatus Klug, 1853 – Malawi, South Africa (length: c.26–37 mm) Tefflus hamiltonii Bates, 1871 – Angola Tefflus juvenilis Gerstaecker, 1871 – Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania Tefflus kilimanus Kolbe, 1897 – Tanzania Tefflus meyerlei (Fabricius, 1801) – South Africa (length: c.39–54 mm) Tefflus muata Harold, 1878 Tefflus purpureipennis Quedenfeldt, 1883 Tefflus raffrayi Chaudoir, 1874 Tefflus tenuicollis Fairmaire, 1894 Tefflus viridanus Kolbe, 1897 – Tanzania Tefflus zanzibaricus Kolbe, 1886 Tefflus zebulianus Raffray, 1882
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