Darren A. Pollock

Field-Based Evaluation of Biopesticide Impacts on Native Biodiversity: Malagasy Coleoptera and Anti-Locust Entomopathogenic Fungi

Abstract A community of 225 species of Coleoptera was used as a surrogate to evaluate nontarget effects of entomopathogenic fungi under development as biopesticides for use against the Malagasy migratory locust Locusta migratoria capito Saussure (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Evaluation of a standard chemical treatment of fenitrothion + esfenvalerate, two indigenous isolates of Metarhizium flavoviride Gams & Roszsypol (SP3 and SP9), and an indigenous isolate of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (SP16) against an untreated control in a replicated field trial in southern Madagascar showed that one of the isolates of M. flavoviride (SP3) and fenitrothion + esfenvalerate had distinct effects on nontarget beetle communities that were similar to each other. The other two isolates had no detectable effects compared with the untreated control. Based on an evaluation of the species affected, the similar effects of SP3 and the chemical pesticide are hypothesized to be the result of a perturbation of predator-prey relationships, with a distinct tendency to be manifested via predators. The data indicate that use of SP9 and SP16 would have minimal detrimental effects on the biodiversity of nontarget beetles, but that SP3 needs further testing.

Review of the Eustrophinae (Coleoptera, Tetratomidae) of America north of Mexico

Abstract The Nearctic fauna (north of Mexico) of Eustrophinae is reviewed, and consists of the following five genera and 12 species: Pseudoholostrophus (Pseudoholostrophus) impressicollis (LeConte), Pseudoholostrophus (Holostrophinus) discolor (Horn), Holostrophus bifasciatus (Say), Eustrophus tomentosus Say, Eustrophopsis confinis (LeConte), Eustrophopsis bicolor (Fabricius), Eustrophopsis brunneimarginatus (Dury), Eustrophopsis indistinctus (LeConte), Eustrophopsis arizonensis (Horn), Eustrophopsis ornatus (Van Dyke), Eustrophopsis crowdyi sp. n., and Synstrophus repandus (Horn). A lectotype is designated for Eustrophus brunneimarginatus Dury. A key is given to separate genera and species, supplemented with illustrations of relevant features, including aedeagi of all Nearctic species of Eustrophopsis. Detailed distribution (including Mexican records) and natural history data are provided.

Anthicidae (Coleoptera) of the Virgin Islands

Eight species in two subfamilies of Anthicidae are known from the Virgin Islands: Neoeurygenius portoricensis Abdullah (Eurygeniinae); Anthicus antilleorum Werner, A. crinitus LaFerte-Senectere, A. floralis (Linneaus), A. tobias Marseul, Vacusus vicinus (LaFerte-Senectere), Sapintus teapensis (Champion), and Acanthinus trifasciatus (Fabricius) (Anthicinae).In addition to a key to these species, each is diagnosed and illustrated, and the Virgin Islands distribution given. The biogeographical composition of the fauna is discussed. A key to the subfamilies and tribes of West Indian anthicids is provided.

Review of the Nearctic genus Lacconotus LeConte (Coleoptera, Mycteridae, Eurypinae)

Abstract Lacconotus LeConte, the sole Nearctic representative of the eurypine Mycteridae, is revised, based on morphological features of adults. The following syn. n. is proposed: Lacconotus pallidus Van Dyke, 1928 = Lacconotus pinicola Horn, 1879. The former is a light-colored form with a southern California distribution. A subgen. n., Alcconotus, is described for Lacconotus pinicola, producing the following comb. n.: Lacconotus (Alcconotus) pinicola (Horn). A lectotype is designated for Lacconotus pinicola. A key separating the two subgenera and species is provided, as are photographs and illustrations of salient structures of adults, and maps showing collection localities. Lacconotus punctatus is newly recorded in Alabama, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin; Lacconotus pinicola is newly recorded in Arizona and Utah in the USA, and Baja California Norte in Mexico. Phenology information shows a north-to-south gradation in occurrence time.

Two new species of Cyanopenthe Nikitsky from Taiwan (Coleoptera, Tetratomidae, Penthinae).

Two new species of Cyanopenthe Nikitsky, 1998 are described from Taiwan, under the names of Cyanopenthe taiwana sp. nov. and Cyanopenthe leei sp. nov., representing the first documented occurrence of the genus in Taiwan. Descriptions of both species, including the first description of males of Cyanopenthe, are supplemented with photos of habitus, antennae and abdomens of females, and illustrations of pronotum, genitalia of both sexes and abdominal ventrite V of females. Additionally, for Cyanopenthe metallica (Champion, 1916), photos of habitus and antenna of the holotype, supplementary description and illustrations of genitalia and abdominal ventrite V of females are provided. A key for the identification of Cyanopenthe species is given.

Revision of the Nearctic species of the genus Iphthiminus Spilman (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Nearctic species of Iphthiminus Spilman (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are revised by examining external morphological structures and genital characters. Of the six Nearctic species, only three are considered valid: Iphthiminus serratus (Mannerheim 1843), I. opacus (Leconte 1866), and I. lewisii (Horn 1870). Photographs are taken to highlight structures and a key is created to identify the species. Three names are synonymized: (senior synonym in brackets) I. sublaevis (Bland 1865) [=Nyctobates sublaevis (Bland 1865)], I. salebrosus (Casey 1924) [=Iphthimus salebrosus (Casey 1924)] are synonymized under I. serratus (Mannerheim 1843) [=Nyctobates serratus (Mannerheim 1843)], and I. laevissimus (Casey 1890 [=Iphthimus laevissimus (Casey 1890)] is synonymized under Iphthiminus lewisii (Horn 1870) [=Iphthimus lewisii (Horn 1870)]. Lectotypes are designated for Iphthimus serratus lewisii Horn 1870 and Iphthimus opacus LeConte 1866.

A New Species of Ischyomius Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Pythidae) from Costa Rica

Abstract Ischyomius hovorei new species (Coleoptera: Pythidae) is described from Costa Rica, (type locality: Costa Rica, Puntarenas Province, Estación Pittier). The new species is diagnosed, illustrated, and keyed. Ischyomius hovorei can be distinguished from sympatric species of Ischyomius by its distinctive coloration, deeply emarginate tarsomeres, and the relatively long apical elytral spine.

REVISION OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE DACODERINAE WITH A PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF WORLD TAXA COLEOPTERA: SALPINGIDAE

Abstract The salpingid subfamily Dacoderinae is revised for the Western Hemisphere. A key to species and phylogenetic analysis are provided for the world fauna. The genus Dacoderus LeConte includes D. striaticeps LeConte, D. acanthomma Blair, D. sleeperi new species (Southwest US and Mexico), D. steineri new species (Texas), D. werneri new species (Mexico), and D. rossi new species (Costa Rica and Mexico). A new genus Myrmecoderus is described to include species M. dominicensis (Horn), M. laevipennis (Horn) new combinations, and M. rileyi new species (southern Mexico). The higher classification of the subfamily and genera is discussed. Hypothesized phylogenetic considerations among genera, including the Australian genus Tretothorax, and species are examined utilizing cladistic methodology. The distribution and biology of the subfamily and genera are briefly discussed.

Review of the Nearctic (north of Mexico) species of Elacatis Pascoe (Coleoptera: Salpingidae: Othniinae)

The North American (north of Mexico) species of Elacatis were revised, based on external and genitalic structures of adults. Seven species are recognized, though the historical inclusion of E. fasciatus Bland among Nearctic species is very likely based on an erroneous collecting locality. Two new species are described, with type localities (counties only) in parentheses: E. larsoni (Nebraska: Box Butte County) and E. stephani (Arizona: Cochise County). The following new synonym is proposed: Othnius umbrosus LeConte 1861 = Othnius lugubris Horn 1868; therefore, only E. umbrosus (LeConte) is associated with dead/dying conifers in western North America. Larval E. umbrosus are thought to be xylophagous, while adults are very likely predaceous. Elacatis senecionis (Champion) and E. immaculatus (Champion) are recorded from north of Mexico for the first time. A lectotype is designated for Elacatis longicornis Horn. A key to the seven species in Canada and the United States is provided, supplemented with photographic images of habiti and selected structural features. Maps of known distributions, based on geo-referenced locality lists, are provided.

Revision of Thisiomorphus Pic (Coleoptera: Mycteridae: Eurypinae) with descriptions of eleven new species from Central and South America and a key to genera of Neotropical Eurypinae

The Neotropical eurypine genus Thisiomorphus is revised, based on external structural features of adults. Twelve species are recognized, including the following eleven new species (type areas in parentheses): T. festivus (Panama, Colón Prov.), T. osaensis (Costa Rica, Puntarenas Prov.), T. davidsoni (Brazil, Chapada), T. inaequalis (Ecuador, Napo Prov.), T. caeruleus (Panama, Panamá Prov.), T. brasiliensis (Brazil, Amazonas), T. solisi (Costa Rica, Guanacaste Prov.), T. andrewsi (Panama, Chiriquí Prov.), T. bolivianus (Bolivia, Santa Cruz Dept.), T. curticornis (Ecuador, Sucumbíos Prov.), and T. convergens (Brazil, Pará). A key to the 13 described eurypine genera of Central and South American is provided, along with a key to species of Thisiomorphus. The keys are supplemented with images of habitus and selected structural features, and maps of known distributions are provided.