Mezium

Mezium is a genus of beetles in the subfamily Ptininae, the spider beetles. It is distributed throughout most of the world. There are two centers of distribution: an area extending from the Iberian Peninsula to Morocco, including the Canary Islands; and an area extending through central and southern Africa. Several species are recently described African endemics. They are most common in coastal areas, and in regions with a Mediterranean climate.

Their most common natural habitat type is caves, where they feed on animal feces, especially bat guano. They are adaptable to human-made structures such as barns and chicken coops.

Species include:
 * Mezium affine – shiny spider beetle
 * Mezium africanum
 * Mezium americanum – American spider beetle, black spider beetle
 * Mezium andreaei
 * Mezium giganteum
 * Mezium glabrum
 * Mezium gracilicorne
 * Mezium horridum
 * Mezium namibiensis
 * Mezium pseudafricanum
 * Mezium pseudamericanum
 * Mezium setosum
 * Mezium sulcatum