Table Of ContentGreatBasinNaturalist56(4), © 1996,pp.308-318
STUDIES OX XEARCTIC XEGASTRIUS
(COLEOPTEK\: EL.\TERIDAE)
SamuelA. Wells^
—
Abstract. New species descriptions ofXegastrius rupicola from California. Oregon, \\ashington, and British
Columbia: .V.stibicki from California. Mont;ma, imd British Columbia: .V.solox from .\rizonaand New Mexico: and.V.
atrosus from Ontarioand Quebecaregi\'en.Negastriuscolon isreturnedto species status, andaneot>pe is designated
forA^.choris. Fleutiaiixellusextricatitsisanewcombination.Ake\'isproNidedtoNearcticspeciesofXegastrius.
Keywords: Xegastrius.Elateridae. holotijpe.parafype. neotype.
History ments equi\alent in length. Later, Kishii (1976)
erected Microlu/pnus. to which Stibick (1991)
Xegastrius was established in the famiK assigned the single Xorth .American species of
Elateridae b\ Thomson (1859) to distinguish M. striatidus (LeConte).
those species of Cn/ptohypmis Eschscholtz
ha\ing arcuate prosteniiil sutures from species Discussion of Char.\cters
with straightor double sutin-es. Candeze (1860)
did not use Thomsons assignments and placed With the exception of die Cardiophorinae,
all Negastrius species in Cryptohypnus. Honis the subfamiK" Xegastriinae is distinguished
(1891) monograph ofthe species ofCryptolujp- from odier subfamilies ofElateridae b\' liaxing
nus ofBoreal Americarejected die name Xegas- the nieso- and metastenia adjacent and sepa-
trius and included all North American forms rating the mesocoxal ca\it> from the niese-
into 9 groups within the genus Cryptohypnus. pimeron and mesepistenium. The Xegastri-
Horns ehoris group included \. delumhis inae is distinguished from the Cardiophorinae
(Horn), xV. choris (Say), .V. exiguus (Randall), by possession ofa pointed prosternal process,
and A", ornatus (LeConte), which were equi\a- which is shortened and tianicated in the Car-
lent to Thomsons Xegastrius. Schwarz (1906) diophorinae. Within the Xegastriinae, Xegas-
included Xegastrius and Cryptohypnus with trius is apparentK most closeh" related to the
the genus Hypnoidus Stephens in the tribe genus Microhypnus, bodi genera haxing a
H>pnoidini. Leng(1920) alsoplacediill species, strigate and/or rugose pronotum. Following
e.\cept .V. e.xiguus. in the genus CryptoJnjpnus. Stibicks (1971) presumed natural afrinities, die
Using mesostenial chai-acters, Xakane and sister group ofXegastrius could be mi) of die
Kisliii (1956) made die distinction bet\veen the Xorth .American genera, e.xcept Paradonus,
subfamilies Xegastriinae and H>politliinae wliicli is more closeK related to the Old World
(which die\ s\"non\iiiized under the Cteniceri- species of Thurana Stibick and Optitarynus
nae). Aniett (1963) recognized onl\- the genera Stibick, both of wliich are without e.xtemall>'
Xegastrius and Oedostethus LeConte in the \isible el\tnil striae. Zivochrus is distinguished
Xegastiiinae from Xoitli.America. Stibick (1971) fromXegastriusb\ die doubleprosternal sutm-es
recognized or established Xeohypdonus Stibick, and/or b\" the arcuateK" extended pronotum
Migiwa Kisliii, OedostetJuis, FleutiauxeUus that projects o\er die head. In addition, the
Mequignon, Xegastrius. Zorochrus Thomson, pronotum in Zorochrus is morecoiU'seK gi-anu-
and Paradonus Stibick from Xorth America. late on the anterior half Fh'utiau.xeUus differs
He restricted Xegastrius to diose species with from the other genera of Xegastiiinae b\ lia\-
coarse pronota, single prosternal sutures, and ing tlie 3rd antennal segment nearly twice as
species with the 2nd and 3rd antenual seg- long as the 2nd. The genus Xeohypdonus is
'BiosvsInc..10150OldColumbiaRixid,Columbia.MD2104(>-17O4.
308
1996] Studies ox NearcticNegastrics 309
separated from Xi'fiastrin.s b\- a smooth to of piile cuticular color patterns on the elxtra.
sliglitK punctate pronotum that is often shiny These color patterns include xellow or black
(^^'ells 1991). Oedostethiis is chstinguished from miicuke on the humeral angles of the elytra.
Xegastriiis h\' ha\in<z a flange on the tarsal Pale subiipiciil maculae are iilso present on
claws. some specimens of.V. colon. X. atrosus. and X.
Honis (1891) ke\ toXegastriiis (sensu stricto) ornatiis.
used legimd antennal coloration, pronotal cari- Head rugose to gnmulose; frontal carina
nae, and lateral and dorsal profiles ofindixidu- tnmsxerse, evenly arcuate imd margined be-
als to separate the 4 North American species tx\een exes, dixided into 2 cariuiie immediiitelx'
known to him (.V. choris. X. delinnbis. X. exi- iuiterior to exes; antennae short, nexer reach-
X
giius. imd ornatus}. The strongK arched pro- ing posterior margin of pronotum; antenna!
file imd the short submiU"giniil pronotiil carinae segments 1-3 cxlindriciil, sciipe subecjUiil in
of-V. dclumbis die chiinicters useful onK in dis- length to segments 2 imd 3 combined, reniiiin-
tinguishing tliat species. Honis otlier chariic- ing segments slightlx- serrate; decumbent setae
ters iire too \iiriiible to be usefiil in distinguish- of antenuiie pale xelloxv to xxliite, segments
ing species. The most \'aluiible characters in 3-11 ciich xxidi 4-8 exenlx distributed erect
compiiring species iind species groups include setiie in addidon to nonuiil decumbent setae.
the shiipe ofdie scutellum imd die rehefofthe Pronotum rugose to granulose xxith carina
anterior portion ofthe interstriiie. These char- of hind angle 0.2-0.8 times length of prono-
acters readiK Xdistinguish iill North .\merican timi; pronotum xxith smooth mediiin line from
speciesexcept solox, X. omatiis, andX. colon. imterior margin to or near posterior margin,
These species are sepiirated b\" the substiigose slighdy conxex to ridged; prosteniiil lobe ex-
ridges on die prosteniimi imd b) the cunature tending oxer mouthparts; prostemal sutures
oftheposteriormargin oftheprostemum. single and slightly arcuate; prostemum more
Both niiile and feniide genital characters heaxilx iuid closelx punctate tliiin propleura;
hii\e been used by Stibick (1991) to sepiirate tarsi xxith each tiirsoniere progressixelx- sniiiller
species. Shght differences do exist in the than prexious segment, except segment 5
lengdi iind position ol the setae on the para- xvhich is subecjUiil in length to segment 1,
meres and in the thickness of the base of the cliixvs simple; scutellum punctiite, gradualK
aedeagus: however, these differences iire as xxideningiinteriorly.
pspreocinfoiucanlcbe".d iOntni-iaivspeercaifgiec,iiloKxeasr t2he0\'taerremiinnatleir-a teriEolrxtmraareglilinptoicfidalbxdouimUiTnOaxlvesdtepomsitteeri4orix)xi;thpoasn-
(per sex) were dissected per species in this exen roxx"ofxxhite to gold erect setae extending
study, except X. solox for which onl\ 2 speci- oxer anterior margin of iibdominal stemite 5,
mens were ii\iiikible. None ofdie species con- setae more closelyafignedanderectthan other
tained consistent patterns that would be oftax-
X stenial setiie.
ononiic use, except nadezhdae, which has a
Mide genitiilia xxith median lobe pointed
slighdx'iingled tip ofthe iiedeiigus (Fig. 17). and narroxxed, gradutdlx xxidening basiillx, 1.3
times longer thiin lateral lobes; lateral lobes
Cl.\ssificatio\
stiiiight on inner side, conxex on outer iipiciil
XegastriiisThomson third xxith 2 siibiipictil setae. Femalexxith bursa
Xegastrhi-s Thomson. 18-59:106. T\pe-species: Elaterpitl- copulatrix membranous contiiining 1 anterior
chelhisLinnaeus. 175S.originaldesignation. and 1 posteri—orlobe.
Biology. North American species of
—
DuGNOSis. The genusXegastriiis in Nordi Xegastriiis haxe been reported onlx- in iissocia-
.-Vmerica is distinguished from other Negastri- tionxxith riparian hiibitats. Xegastriiis deliimhis
inae b\ the curxed and simple prostemal is theoulx"speciesassociatedxxidicoiisbalxxiiters.
sutures; bx the rugose or grimulose pronotum; It lixes along the Atlantic setiboard north of
and bx a rox\- ofparallel setae extending from Chesapeake Bax and south of NewfoundUmd.
the posterior margin ofthe 4th iibdominal ster- Most other species inhabit the sandx/rock-x'
nite onto abdomin—al stemite5. margin ofstreams and rixers. Adults are gener-
Description. Length 1.8-.5.7 mm. xxidth/ ally collected during the spring (except for
length ratio 0.^3-0.4; color golden broxxii to some earlx- records ofA', ornatiis) througli earlx
black and noniialK x\-ith Xiirious iirrangements summer
310 Great Basin Naturalist [Volume 56
—
Key to the Species of Pronotumobscurelystrigose,ridgesshort;ante-
North AmericanNegastrius rior margin of scutellum strongly emarginate
(Fig.9); 16-27setaeonouterangleofmetatibia;
Bases ofelytral interstriae 2-5 strongly raised, length 2.8—5.7 mm; westem United States east
forming a 90-degree angle in profile (Fig. 2); toColorado(Fig. 12) colon(Horn)
sciitellnm more strongly convex, anterior mar- 8(5). Pronotumwith2shinyusualK'iinpmictateareas
ginalwaysemarginate(seeFig.6) 2 nearmiddleofdisc;elytrablackwitlipalemark-
Base ofelytral interstriae not or only slightly ings; length 2.9-5.4 mm; southern California
raised (Fig. 1); anterior margin of scutellum — (Fig. 14) ormitiis(LeConte)
either emarginate (see Fig. 6) or medially Prostemum without shiny or impunctate areas
extended(seeFig.8) 4 on disc; elytra brown without pale markings;
2(1). Profile ofelytra strongly arched on basal half; length 3.5 mm; Arizona and New Mexico (Fig.
bases ofinterstriae 3 and 4 strongly elevated, 13) solox,n.sp.
each usually armed by a small tubercle; elytra 9(4). Carina oflateral margin ofpronotmn obsolete
goldenbrovvntobrown;pronotalcarina0.2-0.4 on anterior 0.25 (Fig. 7); pronotum longitudi-
times length ofpronotum (Fig. 4); length 2.7- nally strigosewith punctures in grooves anteri-
5.2mm;northeasternU.S.andSECanadaalong orlyandlaterally; mesostemumwithaprotrud-
coastandadjacentislands (Fig. 15) ingknoboneachsideofmesosteniiilfossa;lengtii
delumbis(Horn) 2.8-5.5 mm; eastern U.S. west to Nebraska
Profile ofelytra rather weakly arched on basal — (Fig. 13) choris(Say)
half;basesofinterstriae3and4weaklyelevated, Carinaoflateral margin ofpronotmn extending
lacking tubercles; black with pale maculations; to anterior margin; pronotal strigae fine and
pronotalcarina0.^3-0.8timeslengthofpronotum obscure,groovesimpunctate;mesostemumwith-
3 outprotrudingknobs 10
3(2). Pronotum longitudinally strigose, punctures 10(9). Colorbrown with lightbands orotherpattems
distinct, rarely confluent; pronotal carina 0.3- on elytra; scutellum more strongly pointed an-
0.6 times length ofpronotum (Fig. 11); length teriorly(Fig.5);length2.5-3.9mm;easternU.S.
2.3-3.2 mm; northeastern U.S. and SE Canada and Canada west to North Dakota and Alberta
westto North Dakota(Fig. 15) (Fig. 14) amctti Stibick
nadezhadae Dolin —
Colorblackwith 0, 2, or4 pale elytral macula-
Pronotal strigosityobscure, punctures obsolete, tions; scutellinn only slightlypointedanteriorly
ridges broken into rather coarse subconfluent (Fig. 8); length 2.6—1.8 mm; Ontario and Que-
tubercles; pronotal carina 0.6-0.8 times length bec(Fig. 12) (itrosus,n.sp.
ofpronotum (Fig. 10); length2.8-4.9mm; Cali-
fornia, Montana, and British Columbia(Fig. 14) Negastrius colon (Horn),
sfibicki.n.sp. newcombination
4(1). Anteriorhalfofscutellum weaklyconvex, ante- (Figs.9, 12)
riorborderemarginate(Figs.6,9) 5
Anterior half of scutellum medially elevated, CnjptohypmiscolonHorn 1871:305.
anteriormarginmediallyextended(Figs.5,8) . . 9 CCnriyppttoohhiiijppnnuifiisoonnuiutittiusscorlnoone;reHnosrnHo1r8n91:11879.1:17. New syn-
5(4). Anterior thii'd ofprostenium with 2 transverse on\'m.
impressions,areabetween marginandposterior Hiipnoidus ornatit.s colon: Leng 1920; 171, Schenkling
impressionwithnigositiesnodifferentfromrest
1925:213.
ofprostemum 6
Negastriusornattdiis Lane 1971: 19.
Anterior third ofprosteniiun with 2 transverse
impressions, area between margin and poste- Horn's (1891) conceptofN. omatus included
rior impression with a series of conspicuous both the typical form with a pale band on the
rugosities(Fig.3) 8 elytral disc, N. colon specimens with a similar
6(5). Baseofelytralinterstria3elevated;prostemum band as in N. omatus, and those specimens
convex on outer angle, equal to 0.17 length of with 2 pale maculations on the posterior third
basal margin; length 1.8-3.4mm; northern Cal-
ifornia,Oregon,Washington,andBritishColimi- ofthe elytra. He did not note the rugosities on
bia(Fig. 13) rupicola,n.sp. the prosternal lobe. Horn's subspecies N. oma-
Baseofelytralinterstriaesubeijual inelevation; tus rnoerens represents completeK'black speci-
basalmarginofprostemumconvexonouter0.12 mens ofotherwise typical N. colon. Apparently,
orless 7 he did not see material with 2, 4, or 6 macula-
7(6). Pronotinndistinctlystrigose, ridges narrowand tions on the elytral disc. In several areas, speci-
long; anterior margin ofscutellum only slightly mens with all color patterns and sizes occur
emarginate,almoststraight(Fig. 6); 12-16setae together. In die vicinit)' ofLake Tahoe, Califor-
onouterangleofmetatibia; length2.6-3.6mm;
northeastern U.S. west to Iowa, south to North nia and Nevada, there is a form with the pale
Carolina(Fig. 12) exifitiiis(Randall) band on the elytra as well as golden brown
1996] Studies on NeaucticNegastrius 311
Figs. 1-11. Ncf^a.sfiiiis species; 1, N. ornatus, elytral profile; 2, N. stibicki, elytral profile; 3, N. ornatus, head and
pronotuni; 4, N. dchimhis, pronotal profile; 5, N. arnetti, scutellum; 6, N. exiguus, scutellum; 7, N. dioris, pronotal pro-
file;8,N. airosus, scutellum;9,N. colon, scutellum; 10,N. stibicki, pronotalprofile; 11,xV. midezhadac, pronotalprofile.
312 Great Basin Naturalist [Volume 56
12
T exiguus
Fig. 12. DistributionotNegastriiisatrosiis, N. colon, and.V. exigiutti.
setae on the head and pronotum. This appears Negastriiissolox. new species
tobe the onlyfoiTii in the area. There are afew
(Fig. 13)
specimens ofthis form from Seattle, Washing- —
ton, along the Lostine Ri\er in Oregon, and in Diagnosis. This species and N. ornatiis
Parma, Idaho. The specimens from Utah and are distinguished from other North American
Colorado all have 4 pale maculations; this is species of Negastriiis b\ possessing strongly
the common form throughout the range ofthe elexated rugosities on the prostenial lobe; it is
species. distinguished from N. onuitiis b\' the absence
Negastriiis colon is a common species in the ofpale maculatio—ns on the elxtra.
western United States along the banks ofsmall Description. Lengtli3.5 mm, widdi/lengtli
streams and larger watei-ways that have sub- ratio 0.4; color biimneus, without maculations
stantial ripanan debris and groundcobbles. One on eKtra; profile elongate.
population in Sanpete Count), Utah, inhabits a Head and pronotum granulose with a few
small stream that is dr\ more than half the granules fonning short rugosities; median line
year of pronotum ridged; submarginiil pronotal carina
1996] Studies on NearcticNegastrius 313
Fig. 13. Distributionof.Wgd.yfn'f/.s vo/o.v. .V nipkola. ancLV. cIk
0.5 times length ofpronotum; loigosities on the the strongK- ridged rugosities on the prosternal
lobe of the prosternum elevated into ridges; lolie. —
posterior margin ofprosternum e\'enK' con\ex Discussion. This species is known from 2
on lateral fourth; anterior margin ofscutellum specimens. The parat\pe fromArizonais in the
strongly emarginate; interstriae ofelytral disc USNM.
without punctures in center; lateral margin of
Negastrius nadezhadae Dolin
mesostenial fossa exenly concaxe, without pro-
jecting knobs; outer angle ofmetatibia with 17 (Fig.s. 11, 15. ITj
setaealigneda—longentire length. Negastriusnadezhadae Dolin 1971:362.
HoLOTiPE. Male, New Mexico: Gila River,
19-\1-1901. Deposited in the Field Museum of This is the first report of this species for
Natural Histoiy, Chicago. Parat\pe (1) collected NorthAmerica. Specimens e.xiiminedwerecom-
fromArizona: Y—avapai Co., Prescott. pared to 2 paratypes in the USNM. This small
Et\mology. The namesolox is a Latin ad- species occurs under stones along the banks of
jectixe meaning coarse or rough and refers to rivers in the eastern Tien Shan ofcentral Asia.
314 Great Basin Naturalist [Volume 56
Fig. 14. DistributionoiNegastriusarnetti, N. ornatus, andN. stibicki.
—
Four North American specimens were collected Description. Length (holotype 3.8 mm)
under lawn grass and by sweeping grass in 1.8-3.8 mm (mean = 3.6, s [standard devia-
Massachusetts and New Hampshire. tion] = 0.5), width/length ratio 0.3-0.4 (mean
= =
Negastriusstibicki, new species ruf0o.u4s, .St'o bl0a.0c1k);wpirtohfialepasllieghbtaK'ndarcounataen;tecroiloorr
—(Figs.2, 10, 14, 16) third ofelytra not extending mesalK' on inter-
Diagnosis. Distinguished from all other striae 1 and extending tohinnenis on interstriae
Negastrius species by the strongly granulose 5-8, each elytron also with a pale macula on
N
pronotimi; fi-om nipicola, N. choris, N. arnetti, posteriorhalf
N
N. atrosus, N. colon, N. solox, ornatus, andN. Head and pionotum granulose; median line
exiguus by the anterior margin ofelytra being of pronotum distinctly elevated, especialK' on
nearly vertical in profile; and from N. nadez- disc; some specimens with 2 smooth areas on
hadae and N. delumhis b\' the submarginal middle of pronotum in sublateral areas; sub-
pronotal carina being longer than 0.5 length of marginal pronotal carina 0.6-0.8 times length
pronotum. of pronotum (mean = 0.7, .S' = 0.1); costa on
1996] Studii:s on Nkahctic Negastrius 315
nadezhadae
•
15
Fig. 15. DistributionoiNegufitriusdchimhis, andNorthAmericandistrilwtionofA', nadczhadcie.
lateral margin ofpronotum complete to anterior emy of Sciences. Paratypes include: BRITISH
margin; rugosities on prosternal lobe slightly Columbia: Oliver (1); Summerland (1). Cali-
more pronounced than rugosities on remain- fornia: Los Angeles Co. (1); Monterey Co.
derofprostemum; posteriormargin ofproster- (12); Sacramento Co. (6); San Luis Obispo Co.
num convex on lateral eighth; lateral margin of (1); Santa Clara Co. (4); Santa Cruz Co. (2);
mesosternal fossa evenly concave; scutellum Shasta Co. (1); Trinity Co. (5); Tulare Co. (2);
convex, anterior margin only slightly extended; Yolo Co. (2). Mo—ntana: Beaverhead Co. (1).
outerangle ofmetatibiawitli 17-22 aligned setae EriMOLOGY". NamedinhonorofDr.J. N. L.
(mean = 20.3, s = 1.8); anterior margin ofely- Stibick, who has added greatly to our under-
tra elevated almost 90 degrees in profile; inter- standing of the Negastriinae and whose help
striae on disc s—lightly punctate throughout. was invaluab—le in this study.
HOLOTYPE. Male and 11 paratypes from Biology. Some specimens were collected
California: Sutter Co., Nicalous, 25-VI-1944, from flood debri—s.
A. T. McClay, deposited in the USNM, 1 para- Discussion. This species appears to be
tope with same label is in the California Acad- most closely related to the European species,
316 Great Basin Naturalist [Volume 56
pronotal carina 0.45-0.78 times length ofpro-
notum (mean = 0.6, s = 0.1); costa on lateral
margin ofpronotum complete to anterior mar-
gin; rugosities on prostenial lobe not more dis-
tinct than rugosities on remainder of proster-
num; posterior margin of prosternum convex
on outereighth andbecomingconcave mesally;
scutellum strongly convex, widening anteriorly;
elytral interstriae finely punctate on disc, base
ofinterstriae 3 distinctly raised above level of
other interstriae; lateral margin ofmesostemal
fossa evenly concave; outer angle ofmetatibia
with 12-19 aligned setae (mean = 15.9, s =
1.4). —
Holotype. Male and 17 paratypes from
Washington: King Co., Northbend, 8-VH-
1920, E. E Van Duzee, deposited in the
USNM. Paratypes include: British Columbia:
Bowser Cowichan Lake Hope
(1); (1); (1);
Keremeos (1); Salmo (1); Vancouver Island (1).
California: Humboldt Co. (4); Marin Co. (1);
Mono Co. (1); Monterey Co. (6); Plumas Co.
(3); Santa Cruz Co. (2); Shasta Co. (2); Sierra
Co. (4); Sutter Co. (2); Trinit\' Co. (6); Yolo Co.
(1). Oregon: Columbia Co. (1); Douglas Co.
(4); Jackson Co. (1); Linn Co. (1); Wallowa Co.
17,FiNg.s.na1d6e-z1h7a.daMea.legenitaliaofNegastrius: 16,N. stibicki; (1); Washington Co. (5); ^'amhill Co. (1). Wash-
ington: King Co. (17); Lewis Co. (1); Sno-
homish Co. (1).—
N. sabulicola and N. puIcheUiis, but differs by EiTMOLOGY. The name nipicola is a com-
the strongly granulose pronotum and by the pound from the Latin riipes meaning rock and
pronotal carinabeinglonger. cola meaningto cultivate.
Negastrius nipicola, newspecies Negastriuschoris (Say)
(Fig. 13) (Figs.7, 13)
—
Diagnosis. Distinguished horn all other Elatcr choris Say 1839:172 (Neotrype, male; Lucedale,
North American species of Negastrius by the GeorgeCo. Mississippi;USNM). Newdesignation.
Cnjptohijpmischoris;Candeze 1860:81.
elevation of interstria 3; from N. choris, N. Hi/pnoidiis choris; Blatchley 1910: 724, Leng 1920: 171,
ametti, N. atrosiis, N. solox, N. onuitus, N. colon, Schenkling 1925:212.
N. stibicki andN. exigims by the posterior mar- Hypolithiischoris; Dietrieh 1945:32.
gin ofthe prostemum being convex on lateral Negastriuschoris; Fittig1951: 13, Stibick 1991:6-7.
asinxdth;N.asntdibifcrkoimbyN.thdeelanbmsbeinsc,eNo.fnealedveazthiaodnaeo,n theTlhoessnoefottyh^epehodleositgynpaetiinonSaisy'msacdoellbeectciaounseanodf
theDaenstcerriioprtimoanr.gi—nLoefntghtehel(ythroal.otype 2.4 mm) to help define the species in comparison to N.
1.8-3.4 mm (mean = 2.8, s = 0.4), width/ arnctti, which has recendy been described by
length ratio 0.3-0.4 (mean = 0.4, s = 0.01); Stibick (1991).
profile slightly arcuate; color black with 2 pale Negastrius atrosus, new species
maculations on each elytron, 1 on humeral
(Figs.8, 12)
angle atbase and 1 onposteriorthird. —
Head and pronotum rugose to granulose; Diagnosis. This species is distinguished
costa on anterior margin of pronotum thin; from N. delnmbis, N. stibicki, N. rupicola, N.
median line of pronotum smooth and slightly nadezhadae, N. exiguus, N. ornatus, N. solox,
elevated to distinctlv elevated; submarginal and N. colon b\' the pointed anterior margin of
1996] Studies on NkarcticNecastrius 317
the scutelhim; and from N. choris andN. anietti cation) was collected from the type locality in
by its black colorwith 0, 2, or4 maculations on Alaska and ma\- be a t>'pe. Fall's description of
the elytra. — N. extricatus is clearon several points. The api-
Description. Length (holotype 3.5 nnn) cal 3 segments ofthe antennae extend past the
2.7-4.8 mm (mean = 3.7, s = 0.5), width/length hind angles ofthe thorax whereas N. nadezha-
ratio 0.4-0.4 (mean = 0.4, s = 0.02); profile dae has the antennae not attaining the hind
shghtly arcuate to elongate; body entirely black angles. Fall also refers to an impressed vertex
or with 1 pale spot on posterior third ofeach that is absent in all Negastrius species. Several
elyti'on, uncommonly with anodier similar spot specimens from Cornell (taken from the type
on anteriorthird ofeach elytron. locality of F. extricatus), the USNM, Chicago
Head and pronotum granulose to rugose; Field Museum, and the Canadian National
median line of pronotum distinctly narrowly Collection, all ofwhich were taken fromAlaska,
ridged; submarginal pronotal carina 0.6-0.8 fit Falls description on all points and have the
times length ofpronotimi (mean = 0.7,s = 0.4); 2nd segment of the antennae reduced; this is
costa of pronotal margin complete to base; indicative ofthe genus Fleutiaiixellus.
rugosities on prosternal lobe not more distinct
than rugosities on remainder of prosternum; Acknowledgments
posterior margin ofprostenium convex on lat-
eral eighth; scutellum pointed in center ofan- I thank the following institutions and indi-
terior margin and concave distally fi-om center viduals forprovidingmaterial: G. E. Ball, Strick-
to lateral edge; elytral interstriae often rugose land Museum, University of Alberta; E. C.
andwidioutpunctations on disc, although inter- Becker, Canadian National Collection; R. W.
striae 1 and 2 often with punctures; lateral Brooks, Snow Entomological Museum, Univer-
margin of mesosternal fossa evenly concave; sity of Kansas; S. D. Cannings, University of
outer angle of hind tibia with 14-19 aligned British Columbia; A. Chemsack, University
setae (mean =—16.6, s = 1.6). ofCalifornia, BerkelJ.ey; D. A. Kavanaugh, Cali-
Holotype. Male and 16 paratypes were fornia Academy of Science; K. Liebherr,
J.
collected horn Ontario: Essex, Point Pelee, 8- Cornell University; K. C. McGiffin, Illinois
VII-1931, W. J. Brown, and are deposited in Natural History Sui-vey; C. A. Olson, University
the Canadian Na—tional Collection. ofArizona; E. Riley, Texas A & M University;
Etymology. The name atrosus is from the C. Salvino, Chicago Field Museum; S. R. Shaw,
Latin adjective atrans meaning black or dark, MuseumofComparative Zoolog)', Hai-vai'd Uni-
and the adjectival suffix -osus indicating abun- versity; N. L. Stibick, USDA,' APHIS; C. A.
J.
dance. — Triplehom, Ohio State University; and the late
Distribution. Paratypes include: Ontario: D. R. Whitehead, National Museum ofNatural
Essex, Point Pelee (19). QUEBEC: Brome (1); Histoiy, Smithsonian Institution.
Portneuf, St. Augustine (1); Cap-Rouge (6). I also thank the Department ofZoology at
Brigham Young University and the D Elden
Fleutiaiixellus extricatus, Beck family for financial support, and Richard
newcombination
W. Baumann, C. Riley Nelson, and Michael F
Hypnoidmextricatus Fall 1926: 191-192. Whiting for assistance in collecting specimens
Negastriusextricatus; Stibick 1991: 10-11. throughout the western United States and
Canada. Special appreciation is extended to
The species referred to by Stibick (1991) as N. L. Stibick, E. C. Becker, PaulJohnson, and
Negastrius extricatus is most likely N. nadez- JS.tephen L. Wood foreditorial suggestions.
hadae, which occurs in the same geographical
area. Stibick's N. extricatus and N. nadezhadae
Literature Cited
both have yellow patches on the elytra, a de-
chvous scutellum, and a raised humeral area. Arnett, R. H., Jr. 196.3. Fascicle 46, Elateridae in: The
Since Stibick's publication, specimens labeled beetles ofthe United States. Catholic Uni\ersit>' of
N. extricatus have been located and are now in AmericaPress,Washington,DC.
Stibick's collection. These specimens belongto Becker, E. C. 1977. New and noteworthy records of
the genus Fleutiaiixellus. A specimen ofFleu- CEonlteoompotleorgaiqiuneCdannQaudeabe(1c).22A:n1n4a-l17e.s de la Societe
tiauxelliis fitting Fall's description ofN. extrica- Blatchley, W. S. 1910. Coleoptera or beetles known to
tus in Stibick's collection (personal communi- occurin Indiana. Indianapolis. 1.386pp.
