Michael L. Ferro

The Beetle Community of Small Oak Twigs in Louisiana, with a Literature Review of Coleoptera from Fine Woody Debris

Abstract We conducted a study to explore which beetles utilize dead twigs in a Louisiana secondary forest and the effect of debris position on the beetle community. Twigs averaging 14 mm in diameter from one tree of Quercus falcata Michaux (southern red oak) were placed randomly into bundles of ten. At each of three sites, three bundles were laid on the ground, three were propped at the base of a living tree, and three were tied tightly above the ground against the branch of a living woody plant. The bundles were collected 10 months later and each was placed into an emergence chamber. More than 400 adult Coleoptera specimens were collected, representing 35 species within 16 families. Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles) and Curculionidae (weevils) exhibited the highest species richness, with nine and five species, respectively. Species richness was significantly different among treatments. Bundles placed on the ground had the lowest richness, aboveground bundles had the highest, and propped bundles were intermediate. Twelve species (34%) were represented by singletons.

A Practical Emergence Chamber for Collecting Coleoptera from Rotting Wood, with a Review of Emergence Chamber Designs to Collect Saproxylic Insects

ABSTRACT A detailed and accurate survey of the insect fauna of rotting wood can be difficult due to the physical and mechanical properties of the habitat. Quarantining pieces or parts of dead wood in emergence chambers and collecting the insects that emerge is an effective survey method. Here we describe an inexpensive emergence chamber made from an 18-gallon (ca. 68-L) Sterilite® plastic tote box that was modified by adding a removable bottom collection jar and ventilation to the top and side. Ninety of these emergence chambers were three-fourths filled with dead wood (2.5–20 cm diameter) of various decay classes, and run for 24 months in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A total of 5,692 adult Coleoptera specimens representing 50 families, 226 genera, and 275+ species were collected. Selected results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the design. Five fundamental axes of emergence chamber design are identified and discussed. We also compare this design to other published emergence chamber designs.

The Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera of Missouri State Parks, with Notes on Biomonitoring, Mesohabitat Associations, and Distribution

Abstract Thirty-seven streams within 15 Missouri State Parks were sampled for immature and adult Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) during 2002 and early 2003. Seven mesohabitats were sampled: riffle, run, leafpack, pool, no flow organic, bank, and silt/mud. Mesohabitat associations are reported for each species collected. All totaled, 34,251 EPT larvae were collected, all specimens of which were identified to the lowest taxon possible. Of approximately 70,000 adult specimens collected by blacklight and vegetation sweeping, 10,342 were examined and identified to the lowest taxon possible. Fifteen species endemic to the Interior Highlands and two species on the Missouri Species of Conservation Concern Checklist were collected. This research revealed a total of 213 species in 99 genera and 37 families of EPT in the designated state parks, representing 65% of the EPT fauna known from Missouri. Mesohabitat associations are reported for all species of larvae collected. Richness of mayflies and stoneflies was significantly highest during the spring season whereas richness of caddisflies was significantly highest during the fall. Richness of all three orders was highest in the riffle mesohabitat, and lowest in the pool and no flow organic mesohabitats. Many distribution records are reported and Serratella sordida McDunnough (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae) and Triaenodes perna Ross (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) were collected in Missouri for the first time.

REVIEW OF THE GENUS THORACOPHORUS (COLEOPTERA :S TAPHYLINIDAE: OSORIINAE) IN NORTH AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO, WITH A KEY TO SPECIES

Abstract Three species of Thoracophorus Motschulsky (Staphylinidae: Osoriinae) are reported from North America north of Mexico: T. brevicristatus (Horn), T. costalis (Erichson), and T. guadalupensis Cameron. A survey of nearly 5,000 specimens from 38 institutions showed that T. costalis was the most common and widespread of the three species, representing 99% of all specimens and ranging throughout eastern North America west to central Texas and north to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Thoracophorus brevicristatus is found across the extreme southern USA from Arizona to Florida. Thoracophorus guadalupensis is found only in Florida. A key to species and range maps are provided.

Effect of Propylene Glycol Concentration on Mid-Term DNA Preservation of Coleoptera

Abstract The variety of arthropod specimen preservation protocols has expanded greatly with the increased interest in preservation of molecular traits such as DNA sequences. While “best practices” for DNA preservation exist, practical limitations often preclude their use. To test the efficacy of propylene glycol as a DNA preservative agent, adult specimens of Cylindera lemniscata (LeConte) (Carabidae: Cicindelinae) and an Athetini sp. (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) were stored in 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% propylene glycol preservative at room temperature for up to six months. With the exception of the Athetini sp. preserved in 20% propylene glycol, all other treatments yielded the targeted COI gene sequences (ca. 800 base pairs). Propylene glycol appears to be a good preservative for DNA, even at low concentrations and ambient temperatures.

The Ellusive Citation for Haplocnemus subinteger Pic, 1902 (Coleoptera: Rhadalidae: Aplocnemini) and the Evils of Journal Title Abbreviation

In a rare taxonomic twist, the type specimen of Haplocnemus subinteger Pic, 1902 (Rhadalidae: Aplocnemini) is deposited in the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, but the description went missing. Pic (1902) describedH. subinteger and listed the species as Aplocnemus subinteger from “Mesopotamien”, an ancient designation for the area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers essentially corresponding to present day Iraq, Syria, and Kuwait, in the Coleopterorum Catalogus with the citation “Journ. Ins. Nat., 2: 60” (Pic 1937). During preparation of a catalog of the “Melyrid Lineage”, including the families Prionoceridae, Melyridae, Dasytidae, Mauroniscidae, Rhadalidae, and Malachiidae, AJM was unable to find a complete citation from the abbreviated listing in the catalog, suggesting that the citation listed by Pic was incorrect or incomplete. Pic (1913) failed to cite the paper in his list of publications up to that point, which added fuel to the notion that perhaps the paper had never been published. The species was not listed in the Zoological Record, and the citation was not found by Peacock (1987) in her review of the Rhadalinae. Thus, decades of search by several prominent melyrid workers failed to find the reference, elevating it to White Whale/Bigfoot status. One of us (MLF) was enjoying a nice rant about the evils of journal abbreviations when the other (AJM) offered the story of the “Lost Pic” as a practical example of abbreviations gone awry. The full citation is: Pic, M. 1902. Haplocnemus subinteger n. sp. and Dasytes montanus Muls. et Rey. Journ. Ins. Nat., 2: 60. Accepting the challenge, MLF began looking for the publication off and on starting August 2014. Many months of failure and frustration followed. The “Lost” Pic (1902) was finally discovered in the following manner. Beginning with the citation above, a Google search for “Dasytes montanus” yielded Pic (1903), which provided the citation “Journ. des Nat., n°9, 1902, p. 60” (In retrospect, this citation is also in the catalog under Aplocnemus montanus). Searches for “journ. des nat.” yielded little, except a citation including “Journ. des Nat. de Mâcon” (Lambillion 1906). After trial and error searches, “Nat.” was decoded as “naturalistes” and a search for “journal des naturalistes” led to discovery of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature (International Council 1903), price ten shillings and sixpence. The catalog lists: “Journal des naturalistes. Bulletin mensuel de la société des naturalistes de Mâcon (Saône et Loire). [mensuel.]”, abbreviated as “J. natural., Mâcon”. Searches using that journal title gave no useable results, and the title may be incorrect, but additional searches using “journal des naturalistes Mâcon” resulted in discovery of a holding at the University of WisconsinMadison: “Le journal des naturalistes : bulletin mensuel de la Société d’histoire naturelle de Mâcon”. The consistent terms “journal des naturalistes” and “Mâcon” helped to link the otherwise poorly fitting pieces together. An incomplete Interlibrary Loan

A Cultural and Entomological Review of the Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneid.) (Moraceae) and the Origin and Early Spread of “Hedge Apple” Folklore

Abstract Maclura pomifera (Osage Orange) is a singular tree with an extraordinary history. It was discussed by presidents, part of two national “manias”, helped open up parts of the Midwest to early settlers, and was the subject of enduring entomological folklore (“a single fruit, known as a hedge apple, will drive cockroaches from a room within hours and keep them away for months”). The origin and early spread of the folklore have been discovered. A complete list of all arthropods (54 spp.) known to be associated with the tree is provided. Only a single insect species, Solva pallipes (Loew) (Diptera: Xylomyidae), had been previously reported from the fruit, but herein an additional 30 species from a survey of hedge apples from Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana are reported. Possible future applications of hedge apples, including the rearing of S. pallipes for entomophagy, supplemental nourishment for livestock, and/or biodiesel, are discussed. “Outstanding Tree: not particularly outstanding” Gilman and Watson (1994)

Season of Fine Woody Debris Death Affects Colonization of Saproxylic Coleoptera

Abstract A study was conducted to explore the effect of season on colonization of dead twigs by beetles in a Louisiana secondary forest. Previous research showed that twigs cut during spring yielded many specimens and species. The present companion study utilized twigs averaging 14 mm in diameter cut from one tree of Quercus falcata Michaux (southern red oak) during fall (October) 2008, placed in bundles of 10 each, and left in the forest at three sites. Half the bundles were retrieved during winter (January, four months later) and the other half were retrieved during summer (July, nine months later). Coleoptera were collected from bundles using emergence chambers. Only 39 specimens of adult Coleoptera were collected, representing 12 families, 20 genera, and 21 species. Beetle colonization of oak twigs in Louisiana appears to be affected by the interaction of season and twig “quality” (apparently freshness) with the highest colonization taking place in fresh, dead twigs during spring and an order of magnitude lower colonization in 1) fresh twigs during fall or 2) stale twigs during spring and summer.

COLEOPTERA COLLECTED FROM ROTTING FISHHOOK BARREL CACTI (FEROCACTUS WISLIZENI (ENGELM.) BRITTON AND ROSE), WITH A REVIEW OF NEARCTIC COLEOPTERA ASSOCIATED WITH SUCCULENT NECROSIS

Abstract Sixteen dead Ferocactus wislizeni (Engelm.) Britton & Rose (Cactaceae), known variously as fishhook barrel cactus, candy barrel cactus, or compass plant, were discovered in various states of decay near Portal, Arizona during July 2011. A survey of the Coleoptera in the rotting cacti resulted in the collection of 976 specimens representing 11 families and 35 species. Volume of cactus was significantly positively correlated with moisture content and moisture content was significantly positively correlated with species richness and abundance. Findings indicated that there may be three distinct successional stages—wet (saturated), moist, and dry—during cactus late decomposition. A review of literature listing species collected from decaying cacti and succulents is provided with updated nomenclature. Photographs and basic biological information are provided for 20 taxa of interest and relevant literature containing descriptions, keys, distributional data, and biological/life history data is reviewed.

New Synonymies and Range Extension for North American Thoracophorus Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Osoriinae)

The first author became interested in the genus Thoracophorus Motschulsky after collecting and curating 882 specimens during research (Ferro and Carlton 2011) associated with the Coleoptera component of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory that took place in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Carlton and Bayless 2007). All of the specimens were identified as Thoracophorus costalis (Erichson) based on illustrations and descriptions (Horn 1871; Irmler 1985) and comparison to authoritatively identified specimens. However, obtaining materials representing other nominal species of North American Thoracophorus proved difficult. No key to the species of Thoracophorus in North America exists. Horn (1871) provided a diagnosis and illustrations to differentiate T. costalis from his Thoracophorus brevicristatus, which he described under thegenusGlyptomaErichson.Twoother species have been described from America north of Mexico, Thoracophorus longicollis Motschulsky, 1860 from “Nouvelle-Orléans” (=New Orleans, Louisiana) and Thoracophorus fletcheri Wendeler, 1927 from Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota (Fletcher 1930). We examined the type series of T. longicollis housed in the Zoological Museum of Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia (ZMUM). The type series consists of four specimens glued to an elongate rectangular card. Motschulsky did not designate a holotype. We hereby designate the specimen furthest from the pin the lectotype, and a red dot was placed on the card next to this specimen. Motschulsky (1860) anticipated that this may be a southern variant of T. costalis within his description. We also examined the holotype of T. fletcheri housed in the Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany (ZMHB). Examination of the type material of T. longicollis and T. fletcheri revealed both to be indistinguishable from T. costalis. Details of the sculpturing of the head and pronotum (important for species recognition in the genus) and other aspects of external morphology are identical. Therefore, Thoracophorus longicollis Motschulsky, 1860 and Thoracophorus fletcheri Wendeler, 1927 are new junior synonyms of Thoracophorus costalis (Erichson, 1840). While examining specimens of Thoracophorus in the Louisiana State Arthropod Museum, we found two specimens of T. brevicristatus collected in Louisiana. Blackwelder (1943) listed this species as having been collected in Florida and Arizona in America north of Mexico. Here we report T. brevicristatus in Louisiana as a new state record. Specimen label information is as follows:USA: LA: East Baton Rouge Parish, Baton Rouge, 12 Dec 1990, M. Sean Strother, under bark of dead sugarberry Celtis laevigata Willd.; Assumption Parish, Pierre Part, n. Lake Verret, 30 Dec 1992, D. R. Ganaway, coll. in rotten log. Thoracophorus brevicristatus is also found throughout the West Indies (Blackwelder 1943; Irmler 1985), so the discovery of specimens midway between continental populations is not unexpected. Irmler (2010) reported that T. brevicristatus is an inquiline of termites.