Beetles (Coleoptera) of Brush Mountain

Compilation date: Begun January 1994 (ongoing)
Number of species: 211
Main contributor: Steve Bonta
Main source: Bonta-Wells Field Collection; field observation by S. Bonta.

The Coleoptera of Brush Mountain probably represent the single largest class of living thing on the property, as they do worldwide. Steve estimates that with copious collecting, during the course of a year, between three and four times the number of species listed could be found.

The list is arranged alphabetically by order, not phylogenetically, then alphabetically by genus and species. Due to the difficulty in separating many species of beetles and the paucity of comprehensive field guides, many of the insects have not been identified to species. In particular, some species of staphylinids, curculionids, and even elaterids are still not identifiable, since certain very large genera containing many small beetles with very similar characteristics have not been comprehensively worked by taxonomists. the staphylinidae in particular, at once the world’s largest family of beetles (and hence of all living things) as well as one regarded as among the least charismatic by entomologists, has never gotten sufficient scientific attention; it is estimated that up to half of all tropical staphylinids remain unnamed, and certainly dozens of North American species, surprisingly, are still unclassified, including in all likelihood some found on the property. This is also the case for a couple of the elaterids given to genus. For hard-to-indentify taxa in particular (such as the many Mordellistena spp.), I have included a few “naked-eye” fieldmarks, to aid in identification and observation of living individuals with nothing more than a hand lens.

As of this writing (May 2007), this is very much a work in progress, with many minor families (such as the Ptiliidae and Colydiidae) that doubtless occur on the mountain uncollected, and many major families (such as the aforementioned Staphylinidae, the Carabidae, the Curculionidae, the Chrysomelidae, and the Scarbaeidae) insufficiently worked. In view of this, I anticipate a more comprehensive list will eventually contain hundreds of species, and at least a dozen families, that the current list does not account for.

Inventory of the Beetles (Coleoptera)

Alleculidae : Comb-clawed beetles (1)

Pseudocistela marginata (Ziegler): Very large (14 mm.), brown. Dates: 20 June 2006.

Anobiidae : Death-watch beetles (1)

Hadrobregmus carinatus: common.

Anthicidae : Antlike flower beetles (1)

Pedilis terminalis: Very common in late spring and early summer on leaves and flowers; formerly in the family Pedilidae. Dates: 19 June 2006.

Anthribidae : Fungus weevils (1)

Euparius marmoreus (Olivier): Black and white, legs brown and grayish; on live bracket fungi. Dates: 19 June 2006.

Brentidae : Primitive weevils (1)

Arrhenodes minutus (Drury): Uncommon under bark and at lights. Dates: 19 June 2006 (2)

Buprestidae : Metallic wood-boring beetles (5)

1. Agrilus sp.: {black w/ greenish reflex, 9 mm, uncommon}.

1. Agrilus ruficollis: common.

2. Agrilus anxius: uncommon.

3. Brachys aerosus: uncommon.

4. Chrysobothris sp: {greenish-black w/ brassy reflexes, 12 mm, uncommon}.

Cantharidae : Soldier beetles (3)

1. Cantharis rotundicollis: common.

2. Cantharis sp.: {brown, pronotal margins orange, 10 mm, common}.

3. Chauliognathus pensylvanicus: abundant on late summer goldenrod.

Carabidae : Ground beetles (18)

1. Carabidae spp. (5): {black w/ purple elytra, subcylindrical, 14 mm; orange w/ black head, bright green elytra, flattened appearance, 11 mm; black, pronotum elongated, 15 mm, very common under rocks in stream beds; black, head and pronotum distinctly narrower than elytra, 12 mm, common; black, prominent mandibles, elytra feebly striated, pronotum narrowed at base, 20 mm}.

2. Amphasia interstitialis: fairly common.

3. Anisodactylus sp.: {green w/ orange legs, 10 mm, common}.

4. Calosoma sp. (caterpillar hunter): unrecorded before arrival of gypsy moth.

5. Carabus limbatus: uncommon, unrecorded before arrival of gypsy moth.

6. Chlaenius emarginatus: fairly common.

7. Clivina bipustulata: common.

8. Colliuris pensylvanicus: uncommon at lights.

9. Galeritula bicolor: common indoors in winter.

10. Harpalus caliginosus: one record at lights (7/5/85).

11. Lebia viridis: common.

12. Scarites substriatus: uncommon.

13. Scarites subterraneus: common.

14. Sphaeroderus lecontei: uncommon.

Cerambycidae : Longhorn beetles (34)

1. Analeptura lineola: Very common on flowers in midsummer, including especially wild hydrangea and black cohosh. Dates: 19 June 2006, 10 July 2006 (9).

2. Anthophylax cyaneus: Rare, this brilliant green longhorn has been taken only in the spring. Dates: 24-28 May 2004.

3. Brachyleptura rubrica: Uncommon on woodland flowers. Dates: 5 July 1978, 29 July – 2 August 2003.

4. Brachysomida bivittata: Not taken recently, so present status uncertain. Dates: 9 June 1978.

5. Callimoxys sanguinicollis: Wasplike cerambycid with very short elytra, this species is rare on the property. Dates: 5 June 1989.

6. Eburia quadrigeminata: Rare at lights; host plants unknown. The “ivory-marked beetle” is one of the larger beetles found on the mountain, but seldom observed or collected. Dates: 14 August 1995, 20 August 1978.

7. Elaphidion mucronatum: Not collected recently, so status difficult to ascertain. Dates: 30 July 1978.

8. Euderces picipes: Uncommon on woodland flowers in summer. This small antlike cerambycid is easily overlooked in the company of commoner, showier spp. Dates: 10 July 2006.

9. Gaurotes cyanipennis: Common on multiflora rose in late spring and early summer; also taken from maple leaf viburnum and wild hydrangea. Dates: 5 June 1987 (2), 4 June 1987, May 24-28 2004, 11 June 2006, 10 July 2006 (7).

10. Hippopsis lemniscata: Rare, only taken at lights. Distinctive for its unusually long antennae. Dates: 29 July -2 August 2003

11. Leptura emarginata: Uncommon to rare, seen flying far more often than collected, usually in late summer among black walnut trees around house. Dates: 2 August 1978.

12. Lepturopsis biforis: Fairly common on woodland flowers, including wild hydrangea. Dates: 10 July 1978, 29 July – 2 August 2003.

13. Megacyllene caryae: Uncommon on oak in late spring and early summer. Chiefly distinguighable from M. robiniae by different seasonality and habitat. Dates: 4 June 1978.

14. Megacyllene robiniae: Common to abundant on goldenrod in late summer through early fall, the “locust borer” is one of our commonest and most conspicuous longhorns. Dates: 29-30 August 2003 (6).

15. Neoclytus acuminatus: Uncommon on oak in early summer. Dates: 30 June 1978.

16. Oberea affinis: Uncommon. One of several Oberea spp. found on property. Habitat uncertain. Dates: 5 June 1987.

17. Oberea ocellata: Fairly common. Dates:

18. Obrium rubidum: As seems to be the case throughout its range, this small red longhorn is rare and was only recently collected for the first time on the property. Dates: 28 – 29 May 2006.

19. Orthosoma brunneum: Uncommon, usually at lights but occasionally taken in dead wood. Mid to late summer species, and apparently the second largest beetle on the property (after Prionus laticollis, a closely-related species). Dates: 9 August 1978, 29 July – 2 August 2003, 25 July 1984.

20. Parandra brunnea: Uncommon at lights and occasionally under bark. Dates: 9 August 1978, 23 July 1986.

21. Phymatodes testaceus: Apparently rare. No recent records. Dates: 22 June 1978.

22. Pidonia aurata: Common on woodland flowers in spring and summer, including elderberry, black cohosh, and wild hydrangea. Dates: 10 July 2006 (3).

23. Pidonia ruficollis: Easily confused with the preceding spp. and commonly found in the same contexts. Dates: 10 July 2006 (3), 29 July – 2 August 2003 (4).

24. Prionus laticollis: Uncommon to rare, the so-called “broad-necked root borer” is the largest beetle species occurring on Brush Mountain. It occasionally comes to lights or is found crawling about on grass. Host plants on the property are unknown. Dates: 30 July 1978.

25. Purpuricenus humeralis: Rare, this moderately large flower cerambycid is much more common in higher elevation forests such as those in the Seven Mountains area. Host plants on Brush Mountain unknown. Dates: 29 July 1994.

26. Rhagium inquisitor: Uncommon in late summer on dead white pines. This species has not been collected recently, probably because of an absence of suitable habitat.

27. Sternidius variegatus: Habitat uncertain, but sometimes taken at lights. Dates: 8 July 1978, 23 July 1985 (2).

28. Strangalepta abbreviata: Abundant on woodland flowers in late spring through midsummer, including wild hydrangea and black cohosh. This is our second most common longhorn (after Typocerus velutinus), and often found in association with other common flower-loving species. Dates: 25 July-2 August 2003 (6), 24 June 1978, 10 July 2006 (4).

29. Strangalia luteicornis: Common on woodland flowers in early to mid-summer, especially wild hydrangea and black cohosh. Dates: 29 July-2 August 2003 (8), 10 July 2006 (3).

30. Strophiona nitens: Apparently now very rare or no longer present on the mountain; once common on elderberry in late spring and early summer. Dates: 3 June 1979.

31. Tetraopes tetrophthalmus: Very common on milkweed. Dates: 30 June 1978, 18 July 2006.

32. Typocerus lugubris: Far less common than T. velutinus, and more restricted in food plants. Found on wild mint and occasionally on wild hydrangea and black cohosh. Our only all-black flower longhorn. Dates: 29 July – 2 August 2003.

33. Typocerus velutinus: Abundant both on woodland and field flowers in midsummer, this attractive species has been taken on wild hydrangea, black cohosh, yarrow, ox-eye daisy, and Queen Anne’s lace, among others. 10 July 2006, 29 July – 2 August 2003 (10).

34. Xylotrechus nitidus: Current status uncertain; one record. Dates: 1 July 1978.

Cerylonidae: Cerylonid beetles (1)

Cerylon castaneum: Common but often overlooked. Under bark, usually in same habitat as Conossomus sp. staphylinids and Tachys sp. carabids. Dates: 19 June 2006. Apparently present from spring through fall.

Chrysomelidae : Leaf beetles (13)

1. Anomoea sp.: {yellowish-orange w/ broad black sutural and marginal vittae on elytra, uncommon}.

2. Calligrapha philadelphica: uncommon.

3. Calligrapha rhoda: fairly common.

4. Chaetocnema sp. (flea beetle): {greenish-black, round, shining, 3 mm}.

5. Chrysochus auratus (dogbane beetle): fairly common.

6. Cryptocephalus quadruplex: common.

7. Deloyala guttata (tortoise beetle): common.

8. Disorycha sp. (flea beetle): {numerous black maculae on elytra, pronotum w/ yellow margins, ovate, slightly elongate}.

9. Galerucella sp. (cucumber beetle): {yellowish-brown w/single black vitta on each elytra}.

10. Baliosus nervosus (Panzer): Orange hispine; uncommon. Dates: 28 May 2006.

11. Odontata dorsalis (Thunberg)

12. Labidomera clivicollis: fairly common on milkweed.

13. Leptinotarsa decemlineata: common.

Cicindelidae : Tiger beetles (2)

1. Cicindela rufiventris: Probably no longer present, this beetle was once fairly common in midsummer in open areas on the powerline. Dates: 18 July 1979, 30 July 1979.

2. Cicindela sexguttata: Common in spring and early summer, the bright green “six-spotted tiger beetle” often attracts attention along the road and on Laurel Ridge paths. Dates: 29 April 2000 (3).

Cleridae : Checkered beetles (2)

1. Enoclerus rosmarus: uncommon.

2. Phyllobaeus sp.: {black, elytra w/ yellow patches, 5 mm}.

Coccinellidae : Ladybird beetles (5)

1. Coccinellidae sp.: {elytra maroon, no maculations}.

2. Adalia bipunctata: common all year.

3. Bryacantha ursina: common.

4. Coccinella novemnotata: common.

5. Coleomegilla fuscilabris: very common.

Cucujidae : Flat bark beetles (2)

1. Laemophloeus biguttatus

2. Cucujus clavipes: Common in flight and under moist bark in spring. Dates: 21-22 April 2007.

Cupedidae : Reticulated beetles (2)

1. Tenomerga concolor: Uncommon to rare, taken at lights and on sunlit leaves. This and the following species “freeze up” with antennae pointing forward when disturbed. Formerly assigned to genus Cupes. Dates: 29 July – 2 August 2003, 13 July 1985.

2. Cupes capitatus: This extremely rare beetle, seldom found in collections, apparently has a small population in the woods near the Far Field, since two specimens have been taken there in recent years. Similar in habits to the preceding, but smaller, velvety black with a bright coppery head. Dates: 29 July – 2 August 2003, 18 July 2006.

Curculionidae : Snout beetles (4)

1. Curculionidae spp. (2): {yellowish-brown 3 mm, common; black, 3 mm, common}.

2. Callendra sp. (poss. member of Rhynchophoridae): {black, 10 mm, uncommon}.

3. Lixus concaveus: uncommon.

Dermestidae : Dermestid beetles (1)

Dermestes lardarius: very common.

Dytiscidae : Predaceous diving beetles (3)

1. Acilius mediatus: Common only in “the pond,” since suitable habitat is not found elsewhere on the property. Dates: 3 September 1990 (6).

2. Agabus disintegrata: uncommon.

3. Laccophilus sp.: {brown and yellow w/ black maculae, 5 mm, common}.

Elateridae : Click beetles (15)

1. Agriotes oblongicollis (Melsheimer): Small, dark brown; very common on foliage. Dates: 19 June 2006, 24-28 May 2004.

2. Alaus oculatus: uncommon.

3. Ampedus nigricans Germar: Dark, convex, medium-sized. Dates: 19 June 2006.

4. Ampedus rubricollis (Herbst): Shining black with brilliant red on portion of pronotum; rare. Dates: May 2007.

5. Ampedus semicinctus (LeConte): Orange at base of elytra, brown, medium sized. Dates: 28 June 2006.

6. Athous brightwelli (Kirby): Very variable in size and color; diagnostic “scooped” frons and head less covered than Melanotus, which it superficially resembles. Dates: 19 June 2006.

7. Cardiophorus convexus (Say): Brassy greenish black, highly convex, medium-szied. Dates: 21-22 April 2007.

8. Ctenicera pyrrhos (Herbst): Quite common, moderately large. Dates: 12 July 2006.

9. Dalopius sp.

10. Limonius basilaris Say: Very small, black. Dates: 24-28 May 2004.

11. Limonius confusus Leconte: Medium sized, brown, very common. 24-28 May 2004.

12. Megapenthes limbalis (Herbst): Colorful yellow, brown and black markings. This common southeastern species is rare on the property. Dates: 29 July-2 August 2003.

13. Melanotus castanipes (Paykull)): Large, brown, common at lights. Dates: 13 May 1987.

14. Melanotus hyslopi Van Zwaluwenberg: Mid-sized brown Melanotus. Dates: 24 May 2004.

15. Melanotus sp.

Endomychidae : Handsome fungus beetles (1)

Mycetina perpulchra: uncommon.

Erotylidae : Pleasing fungus beetles (2)

1. Tritoma pulcher: uncommon.

2. Megalodacne heros: Occasionally common in suitable habitat, this beetle was unknown on the property until the 1990s. Dates: 19 June 2006.

Eucnemidae: False Click Beetles (1)

Melasis pectinicornis: Rare, listed by Horn (1886) as “very rare.” Dates: 28-29 May 2006.

Geotrupidae (1):

Bolbocerosoma tumefactum: Rare; one record. These beetles were formerly considered scarabs. Members of this genus are widespread but seldom if ever common. Dates: 16 August 1978.

Histeridae : Hister beetles (3)

1. Hololepta sp. (fossularis?): Uncommon under bark, especially poplar. Dates: 18 June 1978.

2. Hister spp. (2): {piceous, rounded, 8 mm; piceous, rounded, 5 mm}. Dates: 4 June 1987.

Hydrophilidae : Water scavenger beetles (1)

Hydrobius sp. (melaneum?): Common in streams and puddles. Dates: 23 July 1985.

Lampyridae : Fireflies or lightningbugs (2)

1. Photuris pensylvanica: very common.

2. Lucidota atra: This is the common brown diurnal firefly with orange pronotal borders. Found everywhere on the property except in open fields. Present year round, including warm winter days. Dates: 18 July 2006.

Lucanidae: Stag Beetles (2)

1. Ceruchus piceus: Uncommon but regular under bark and in rotting wood, esp. oak. Dates: 19 June 2006 (2), 17 June 1978.

2. Dorcus parallelus: Rare, but apparently the largest lucanid found on the property. Dates: 5 June 1987.

Lycidae : Net-winged beetles (2)

1. Lycidae sp.: {brown, pronotal margins and basal part of elytra orange, 10 mm}.

2. Calopteron reticulatum: Abundant in summer, this is one of our most readily-observed and collected insects. Dates: 18 July 2006 (2).

Melandryidae : False darkling beetles (3)

1. Dircaea quadrimaculata: uncommon.

2. Melandrya striata: uncommon.

3. Prothalpia undata LeConte: Small, elongate (6-7 mm.), black and orange. Apparently rare; taken only once in spring under moist bark. Dates: 21-22 April 2007.

Meloidae : Blister beetles (3)

1. Epicauta pensylvanica: Formerly very common in late summer on goldenrod; current status on property uncertain.

2. Meloe angusticollis Say: Fairly common in spring and fall. Very variable in size. Dates: 21-22 April 2007.

3. Lytta aenea: Recently taken for the first time, on flowering scrub oak in spring on powerline.

Mordellidae : Tumbling flower beetles (15)

1. Falsomordellistena pubescens (Fabricius): Small, black, with dull whitish maculae on elytra. Dates: 10 July 2006, 29 July-2 August 2003.

2. Glipostenoda ambusta (LeConte): Small, uniformly orangeish/reddish brown. Dates: 10 July 2006, 29 July-2 August 2003.

3. Hoshihananomia octopunctata (Fabricius): Once fairly common, but not taken recently. Dates: 12 July 1978, 15 July 1978.

4. Mordella marginata marginata Melsheimer: Medium-sized, silky black, some grayish pubescence. Dates: 19 June 2006, 18 July 2006, 29 July-2 Augsut 2003.

5. Mordella melaena Germar: Fairly large, silky black, common on milkweed and other midsummer field flowers. Dates: 19 july 2006, 29 July- 2 August 2003, 18 July 2006.

6. Mordellistena andreae LeConte: Very small, reddish/yellowish brown, pronotum reddish with black spot around scutellum. Dates: 19 July 2006.

7. Mordellistena aspersa (Melsheimer): Very small, silky, grayish pubescence. Dates: 29 July-2 August 2003.

8. Mordellistena cervicalis Leconte: Small, balck, with contrasting reddissh pronotum. Dates: 19 June 2006, 19 July 2006, 16-17 June 2006.

9. Mordellistena convicta: Similar to M. aspersa but somewhat smaller. Dates: 16-17 June 2006.

10. Mordellistena limbalis (Melsheimer): Small, yellow elytra with lateral and sutural black stripes, black dot in middle of pronotum. Dates: 10 July 2006.

11. Mordellistena liturata (Melsheimer): Medium-sized, reddish/yellowish brown, pronotum reddish-borwn, no black spot. Dates: 10 July 2006.

12. Mordellistena ornata (Melsheimer): Small to medium sized, shiny black with striking yellow basal spots on elytra, yellow pronotum and undersides. Dates: 10 July 2006.

13. Mordellistena vera Liljeblad: Medium-sized, black, with brownish golden pubescence. Dates: 10 July 2006, 29 July-2 August 2003.

14. Paramordella triloba (Say): Medium-sized (larger than F. pubescens), black, with yellow (pubescent) maculae. Dates: 18 July 2006, 29 July-2 August 2003.

15. Tolidomordella discoidea discoidea: Very small, shiny black with striking yellow markings, legs yellow (Unlike F. pubescens).

Nitidulidae : Sap-loving beetles (3)

1. Glischrochilus fasciatus

2. Glischrochilus snaguinolentus

3. Phenolia grossa

Oedemeridae : False blister beetles (1)

Asclera ruficollis: Quite common on spicebush and other spring flowers in April and May. Dates: 21-22 April 2007.

Ostomatidae : Bark-gnawing beetles (1)

{piceous, 6 mm, uncommon}.

Ptilodactylidae : Ptilodactylid beetles (1)

Ptilodactyla sp.: common at lights.

Pyrochroidae : Fire-colored beetles (3)

1. Dendroides concolor: Rare, single specimen taken. Dates: 5 June 1987.

2. Dendroides cyanipennis: Fairly common under moist bark, especially cherry and maple, in early to midsummer. Dates: 24 June 1978, 18 July 2006 (4).

3. Neopyrochroa flabellata: Rare. Habitat uncertain. Dates: 6 July 1979.

Rhipiphoridae: (1)

Macrosiagon limbatus: Uncommon but apparently regular on flowers along railroad tracks in midsummer. This species resembles the Mordellidae in form. Dates: 29 July – 2 August 2003; 19 July 2006.

Rhysodidae : Wrinkled Bark beetles (1)

Clinidium sculptile: Somewhat common under bark, especially oak and black cherry. Dates: 15 June 1978, 5 June 1997, 29 July – 2 August 2003 (4), 24 May – 1 June 2004 (2), 18 July 2006 (3).

Scaphidiidae : Shining Fungus beetles (2)

Scaphidiidae sp.: {piceous, 3 mm, uncommon}.

Scaphidium quadriguttatum: uncommon in late summer and fall.

Scarabaeidae : Scarab beetles (16)

1. Anomala sp. (shining leaf chafer): {greenish black, yellow maculae on elytra, 10 mm, uncommon}.

2. Aphodius spp. (2) (aphodian dung beetles): common.

3. Canthon viridis: Uncommon. Dates: 15 June 1978.

4. Geotrupes sp. (earth-boring dung-beetle): uncommon in spring and fall.

5. Macrodactylus subspinosus (chafer): fairly common.

6. Orthophagus hecate: Uncommon. Dates: September 12, 1978.

7. Osmoderma eremicola: Uncommon, the larvae of the “hermit flower beetle” being much more frequently encountered than adults. Dates: 24 August 2006, 1 August 1978.

8. Osmoderma scabra: Uncommon, similar to preceding. Dates: 25 July 1980, 5 August 1985.

9. Pelidnota punctata: Fairly common at times. The “grape cutter” is apparently present in low numbers, and has been found around the farm on occasion, though not as commonly as it is in the valleys. Dates: 17 July 1985 (2), 14 July 1985.

10. Phyllophaga spp. (2) (June beetles): Formerly abundant, but much less common in recent years.

11. Popilia japonica: Very common. Dates: 18 July 2006.

12. Serica vespertinia: common at lights.

13. Serica trociformis: uncommon.

14. Trichiotinis affinis: Fairly common on Queen Anne’s lace, asters, and other field flowers, occasionally visiting woodland flowers like wild hydrangea. Dates: 7 July 1978, 18 July 2006.

15. Trox sp. (skin beetle): common on carrion.

16. Copris sp. : Fairly large, black form. The one record is from late July. Dates: July 2005.

Scolytidae : Bark or engraver beetles (1 sp.)

Small black species, abundant in warm days in April and May during dispersal flights.

Silphidae : Carrion beetles (6)

1. Nicrophorus tomentosus: Uncommon. Dates: 10 June 1978.

2. Nicrophorus pustulatus: Uncommon. Mostly black, with small red maculae. Dates: 10 June 1978.

3. Nicrophorus defodieus: Smaller than the 2 preceding spp. Uncommon. Dates: 6 September 1978.

4. Necrophila americana: Common most of the year. Formerly assigned to genus Silpha. Dates: 15 June 1978.

5. Silpha inequalis: Fairly common. Dates: 17 April 1978.

6. Silpha noveboracensis: Common on carrion and at fermented bait. Dates: 19 June 2006, 1 April 1978.

Silvanidae: Silvanid Beetles (1)

Uleiota dubius (Fabricius): Fairly common under moist bark, often in groups. Dates: 5 May 2007.

Staphylinidae : Rove beetles (10)

1. Ontholestes cingulatus: common on rotting fungi.

2. Philonthus cyanipennis: common in fungi.

3. Philonthus longicornis: common.

4. Platydracus cinnamopterus: uncommon

5. Platydracus violaceus: Common under moist bark and in fungi in spring. Dates: 5 May 2007.

6. Platydracus maculosus: Uncommon, flying and on carrion. Dates: 18 May 2007.

7. Staphylinus maxillosus: rare.

8. Tachinus sp.: {elytra reddish-brown, head and pronotum dark brown, body sub-ovate, 10 mm, on fungi}.

9. Tachinus crassus: very common under bark.

10. Tachinus fimbriatus: common.

Stenotrachelidae: False Longhorn Beetles (1)

Cephaloon lepturides: This beetle is occasionally taken in the hollow in late spring near the stream. This family was formerly known as the Cephaloidae, but by whatever name, they are generally rare beetles. This species is highly variable in coloration. Dates: 24 May – 1 June 2004, 24 May 1987.

Synchroidae (1):

Synchroa punctata: Uncommon. This beetle, which resembles a click beetle, was formerly grouped with the Melandryids. Dates: 29 July – 2 August 2003.

Tenebrionidae : Darkling beetles (8)

1. Alobates pensylvanica: very common under bark year-round.

2. Arthromacra aenea: This attractive greenish-black beetle is not uncommon in long grass in wooded areas in late spring and early summer. Formerly assigned to a separate family, the Lagriidae (“long-jointed bark beetles”). Dates: 24 May – 1 June 2004, 4 June 1987 (2), 5 June 1987 (2).

3. Boletotherus cornutus: The “horned fungus beetle” is common on dead woody bracket fungi except during the winter months. Dates: 19 June 2006.

4. Meracantha contracta: uncommon at lights.

5. Tarpela micans: uncommon.

6. Tarpela spp. (2): {cylindrical, piceous, elytra striate, 15 mm; shiny brown, deeply striate elytra, 13 mm, rare}.

7. Tenebrio molitor (meal worm): very common.

8. Uloma imberbis: uncommon.

9. Uloma sp.: {piceous, 15 mm}.

Tetratomidae (2):

1. Penthe obliquata: Uncommon under bark. This and the following species were formerly considered melandryids. Whether they are in fact separate spp. is debatable, since the specimen cited was taken in very close association with a single P. pimelia (see following). Dates: 19 June 2006.

2. Penthe pimelia: Same as preceding, and chiefly distinguishable by black scutellum (obliquata has orange). Dates: 19 June 2006.

Throscidae (1):

Trixagus carinicollis: Habitat and abundance uncertain (on leaves?). Dates: 24 – 28 May 2004 (2).