Christopher G. Majka

Introduced Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) in the Maritime Provinces of Canada

The fauna of introduced rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the Maritime Provinces of Canada is surveyed. Seventy-nine species have now been recorded. Of these, 73 have been found in Nova Scotia, 29 on Prince Edward Island, and 54 in New Brunswick. Twenty-five species are newly recorded in Nova Scotia, 16 on Prince Edward Island, and 10 in New Brunswick, for a total of 51 new provincial records. Of these, 15 species, Tachinus corticinus Gravenhorst, Mycetoporus lepidus (Gravenhorst), Habrocerus capillaricornis (Gravenhorst), Aleochara (Xenochara) lanuginosa Gravenhorst, Gnypeta caerulea (C.R. Sahlberg), Atheta (Microdota) amicula (Stephens), Cordalia obscura (Gravenhorst), Drusilla canaliculata (Fabricius), Deleaster dichrous (Gravenhorst), Coprophilus striatulus (Fabricius), Carpelimus subtilis (Erichson), Leptacinus intermedius Donisthorpe, Tasgius (Rayacheila) melanarius (Heer), Neobisnius villosulus (Stephens), and Philonthus discoideus (Gravenhorst), are newly recorded in the Maritime Provinces. Two of these, Atheta (Microdota) amicula and Carpelimus subtilis, are newly recorded in Canada. Leptacinus intermedius is removed from the faunal list of New Brunswick and Philhygra botanicarum Muona, a Holarctic species previously regarded as introduced in North America, is recorded for the first time in the Maritime Provinces. An examination of when species were first detected in the region reveals that, on average, it was substantially later than comparable dates for other, better known families of Coleoptera — an apparent indication of the comparative lack of attention this family has received. Some introduced species appear to be associated with the dry-ballast mechanism of introduction to the continent, while others are synanthropic and may have been inadvertently introduced in connection with agriculture, horticulture, or other processes associated with human activities. A substantial number are now established and well distributed, seemingly indicative of an early introduction into the region, the ability to successfully colonize a habitat and disperse within it, or a combination of these factors. Other species appear to be local in distribution, perhaps indicative of more recent introductions, more restricted ecological tolerances, a lesser ability to disperse, or a combination of these factors. These recent discoveries are discussed briefly in the context of the importance of taxonomic research and ongoing monitoring in order to detect and identify exotic species and monitor for new introductions and changes in existing native or introduced populations — all important in terms of assessing the risk of introductions to, and their impact on, native faunas and habitats. Majka and Klimaszewski 68 Résumé—La faune des staphylins (Staphylinidae) introduits dans les Provinces Maritimes du Canada est étudiée. Soixante-dix-neuf espèces ont maintenant été enregistrées. Parmi celles-ci, 73 ont été trouvées en Nouvelle-Écosse, 29 à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, et 54 au Nouveau Brunswick. Vingt-cinq espèces sont de nouvelles mentions en Nouvelle-Écosse, 16 à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, et 10 au Nouveau Brunswick pour un total de 51 nouvelles mentions provinciales. Parmi celles-ci, 15 espèces, Tachinus corticinus Gravenhorst, Mycetoporus lepidus (Gravenhorst), Habrocerus capillaricornis (Gravenhorst), Aleochara (Xenochara) lanuginosa Gravenhorst, Gnypeta caerulea (C.R. Sahlberg), Atheta (Microdota) amicula (Stephens), Cordalia obscura (Gravenhorst), Drusilla canaliculata (Fabricius), Deleaster dichrous (Gravenhorst), Coprophilus striatulus (Fabricius), Carpelimus subtilis (Erichson), Leptacinus intermedius Donisthorpe, Tasgius (Rayacheila) melanarius (Heer), Neobisnius villosulus (Stephens), and Philonthus discoideus (Gravenhorst), sont de nouvelles mentions pour les Provinces Maritimes. Deux, Atheta (Microdota) amicula et Carpelimus subtilis, sont nouvelle mention au Canada. Leptacinus intermedius est retirée de la liste faunique du Can. Entomol. 140: 48–72 (2008)

Records of adventive aleocharine beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) found in Canada

Eight additional adventive aleocharine beetles, native to the Palaearctic region, are reported from Canada, five of them for the first time. They belong to three tribes: Crataraea suturalis (Mannerheim) (Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, British Columbia) and “Meotica pallens (Redtenbacher)” (Ontario, British Columbia) belong to Oxypodini; Atheta (Chaetida) longicornis (Gravenhorst) (Nova Scotia, Quebec), Atheta (Thinobaena) vestita (Gravenhorst) (New Brunswick), Dalotia coriaria (Kraatz) (Alberta), Dinaraea angustula (Gyllenhal) (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Alberta), and Nehemitropia lividipennis (Mannerheim) (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario) belong to Athetini; and Homalota plana (Gyllenhal) (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick) belongs to Homalotini. These species have likely been introduced into Canada from Europe by various anthropogenic activities, and their bionomics and possible modes of introduction are discussed. For each species, a short diagnosis and habitus and genital images are provided to assist with identification. The habitus and genital images are presented here for the first time for these species in North America. New United States records are not included in the abstract.

The weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) of the Maritime Provinces of Canada, I: New records from New Brunswick

Seventy-seven species of weevils are newly reported in New Brunswick, increasing the known provincial fauna to 206 species. Trichapion nigrum (Herbst), Ceutorhynchus semirufus LeConte, and Listronotus laramiensis (Angell) are recorded for the first time in Canada. Three species, Bagous planatus LeConte, Plocamus hispidulus LeConte, and Dryocoetes granicollis (LeConte), are removed from the provinces faunal list. Components of the fauna are discussed with a particular focus on the introduced species found in the province. Monitoring to detect changes of both native and introduced species is emphasized.

Review of the North American Tarphiota Casey, with a description of a new seashore‐inhabiting Atheta species exhibiting convergent characteristics (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

A review of the North American species of the genus Tarphiota Casey is presented. Three species are recognized: T. densa (Moore), T. fucicola (Mäklin), and T. geniculata (Mäklin). They occur on the sandy beaches of the Pacific coast. A new coastal species of Atheta, found on the seashore and exhibiting certain convergent characteristics to Tarphiota, is described from the Atlantic coast: A. novaescotiae Klimaszewski and Majka, sp. nov. All Canadian species are provided with diagnoses, genitalic illustrations and digital photos of their habitus in dorsal and lateral view. A key is presented to distinguish the species. New data on the natural history of A. novaescotiae are presented and briefly discussed.

The Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) of Prince Edward Island: new records and further lessons in biodiversity

The long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae) of Prince Edward Island are surveyed. Records of 28 species of cerambycids new to the province are provided, increasing the known fauna of this family on the island to 38 species. One species, Pogonocherus penicillatus LeConte, is removed from the list of the provinces fauna. Additionally, one exotic species, Rhopalophora tenuis (Chevrolat), is reported as intercepted from merchandise imported from Mexico. This fauna is examined in relation to its distribution within the province, biogeographical components, island biogeography, the composition of the regional fauna, the impact of anthropogenic activities, and adventive species. All these provide lessons to improve our understanding of the biodiversity of the province.

New Records of Native and Introduced Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for Nova Scotia from Cape Breton Island

Abstract Eleven species of weevils native to North America, Acalyptus carpini (Herbst), Tachyerges ephippiatus (Say), Bagous transversus LeConte, Ceutorhynchus omissus Fall, Ceutorhynchus squamatus LeConte, Auleutes nebulosus (LeConte), Perigaster liturata (Dietz), Stethobaris ovata (LeConte), Carphonotus testaceus Casey, Rhyncolus brunneus Mannerheim and Pissodes fiskei Hopkins, and seven species introduced to North America, Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus), Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus), Gymnetron pascuorum (Gyllenhal), Gymnetron tetrum (Fabricius), Tychius meliloti Stephens, Phyllobius oblongus (Linnaeus), and Polydrusus sericeus (Schaller) are reported for the first time in Nova Scotia based on specimens from Cape Breton Island. New records for native species reflect increased collecting and attention to the fauna of Nova Scotia. Historically, many introduced insects first established populations in North America in the Canadian Maritimes and in fact about 40% of the species listed in the most recent checklist of weevils are introduced. The introduced species new to Nova Scotia reported here apparently established populations elsewhere and subsequently expanded their ranges into Nova Scotia.

Euvira micmac, a new species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), and first record of the genus in Canada

A new aleocharine species, Euvira micmac Klimaszewski and Majka, sp. nov., from Nova Scotia, Canada, is described and illustrated. This is the first record of the genus Euvira for Canada. New data on bionomics and distribution are provided, including notes on the red oak gall environment where the species was found. A short diagnosis, description, colour habitus image, and black and white genital images are provided. The lectotype (male) and the paralectotypes (5 females) are designated for E. quadriceps (Casey). Two beetles, Litargus tetraspilotus LeConte (Mycetophagidae) and Melanophthalma americana (Mannerheim) (Latridiidae), found co-inhabiting red oak galls are newly recorded for Atlantic Canada.

Introduced Leaf Beetles of the Maritime Provinces, 6: The Common Asparagus Beetle, Crioceris asparagi (Linnaeus), and the Twelve-Spotted Asparagus Beetle, Crioceris duodecimpunctata (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract The common asparagus beetle, Crioceris asparagi (Linnaeus) and the twelve-spotted asparagus beetle, Crioceris duodecimpunctata (Linnaeus) are introduced Palearctic leaf beetles that feed exclusively on asparagus. The introduction history of these species in North America is reviewed and their dispersal to and distribution in the Maritime Provinces of Canada are described. Both species were first reported in Canada in 1899 in asparagus production areas in Queenston, Ontario, and other parts of the Niagara Peninsula where they caused serious crop damage. However, we discovered that both species were already found around Québec City 22 years earlier. Populations now established in the Maritime Provinces of Canada probably originated from southwestern Ontario where most commercial asparagus production in Canada began and now occurs. Crioceris asparagi and C. duodecimpunctata spread steadily throughout eastern Canada by adult flight dispersal abetted by wind, by the dissemination of seeds by birds, and by commercial movement of root crowns and spears of asparagus. Asparagus escaped from cultivation, growing along transportation corridors (such as railway tracks, power utility right-of-ways and roads) and in vacant lands, which facilitated the spread and establishment of C. asparagi and C. duodecimpunctata throughout North America. Now, both these adventive pest species occur wherever asparagus is grown. Both C. asparagi and C. duodecimpunctata are confirmed to occur in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, but not Newfoundland and Labrador. However, C. duodecimpunctata is newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. These introduced beetles are not regulated by Canada or by the U.S.A., and they are readily controlled at economically acceptable damage thresholds.

INTRODUCED LEAF BEETLES OF THE MARITIME PROVINCES, 5: THE LILY LEAF BEETLE, LILIOCERIS LILII (SCOPOLI) (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

Abstract Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli), the lily leaf beetle, is an introduced Palearctic leaf beetle now established in many parts of central and eastern Canada and in New England. It is a voracious feeder on plants in the genera Fritillaria and Lilium, a cause of concern in North America where it is found. The introduction history and bionomics of the species are briefly reviewed. Its distribution in the Maritime Provinces of Canada is detailed, focusing particularly on its rapid radiation during the past five years. Observations on dispersal phenology and longevity in the region are given. Concerns with respect to its recent spread to the native Canada lily, Lilium canadense, are expressed. Biocontrol measures and programs being pursued in the United States are noted in relation to options that could be investigated in Canada to reduce the beetles impact.

Two new Atheta species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from eastern Canada: taxonomy, bionomics, and distribution

Two new athetine beetles from eastern Canada are described and illustrated: Atheta (Metadimetrota) savardae Klimaszewski and Majka, sp. nov. (Nova Scotia, Quebec) and Atheta (Datomicra) acadiensis Klimaszewski and Majka, sp. nov. (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec). Their relationships to other closely related species are discussed, and new data on bionomics and distribution are provided. The new species are presented with a short diagnosis, description, colour habitus images, and black-and-white genital images.