98. Meronera venustula (Erichson)

(Illustrations in Klimaszewski et al. 2018), Table 1

References. Erichson 1839. Casey 1906. Ashe 1985. Majka and Klimaszewski 2008. Klimaszewski et al. 2018.

Distribution. Nearctic. Canada: NB, ON, QC. USA: widespread in eastern USA, westward to CO, TX, and UT.

Collection and Habitat data. In NH captured in alder and grass leaf litter, leaf litter along stream, old river drift, grass clumps in swamp, pine-oak barrens, old field, and beaver pond area. Taken by pitfall and flight intercept traps, but most specimens were produced by processing leaf litter, grass clumps, and grass sod with a Berlese funnel. Adults were collected throughout the year. In MO found along pond margin. In Canada found in mixed forest, coniferous and deciduous forests; often in compost; adults in grass litter in gardens, lawn, beaver pond and pond margins, and beaver meadows (old drained beaver pond), as well as in compost (decaying corncobs and cornhusks, decaying vegetables) where they were often common. Larvae and adults feed on fungal mycelia and hyphae (Klimaszewski et al. 2018).

Material. USA, Florida, Alachua Co.: 4 mi W Jct. Hwys. 26 & 75, 22.V.1983, Chandler & Reeves, UV light, 1 sex? Missouri, Harrison Co.: 5 mi SE Bethany, 30.VI.1987, D.S. Chandler, along pond margin, 5 sex? New Hampshire, Coos Co.: Beaver Brook Falls, 3 mi NE Colebrook, 18.X.1986, D.S. Chandler, sift alder & grass leaf litter, 1 sex?; 27.IX.1986, M.J. Lyons, sift alder & grass leaf litter, 1 sex? Merrimack Co.: Concord Airport, 1 mi E Concord, CZ-4a, 10–24.VII.2001, pine-oak barrens, pitfall trap, 1 sex?; 15.XI.2001, sift leaf litter along stream, 9 sex?; 24.VII–8.VIII.2001, D.S. Chandler, pitfall trap, 1 sex? Grafton Co.: Bedell Bridge St. Park @ Oliverian Brook, 2.VIII.1992, D.S. Chandler, berlese old river drift, 1 sex? Rockingham Co.: Hampton, 14.III.1902, 1 sex?; XII.1902, 1 sex?; 20.IV.1903, 1 sex?; 20.IV.1903, 1 sex?; 10.III.1902, 1 sex?; 20.I.1927, S.A. Shaw, sifting, 1 sex? Strafford Co.: 1 mi SW Durham, 14.X.1985, D.S. Chandler, berlese grass clumps in swamp, 2 sex? 4 mi SW Durham, 16.XI.1969, R.L. Blickle, pitfall trap, 1 sex? College Woods, Durham, 43.1407, -70.9473, 21.IX.2006, L.K. Collins, forest, sift leaf litter, 1 sex?; 14–28.IX.2006, ZOOL 745/845 class, pitfall, old field, 1 sex?; 4.X.2007, Z.A. Bandola, berlese meadow sod, 1 sex?; 4.X.2007, H.E. Roberts, berlese meadow sod, 1 sex?; 14.IX.2006, J.E. Theriault, berlese field sod, 1 sex? Durham, 3.V.1941, R.L. Blickle, 1 sex? Thompson Farm, 3.5 km SW Durham, 43.11223, -70.9203, 14m, 29.IX–13.X.2005, ZOOL 745/845 class, FIT, beaver pond area, 1 sex? Woodman Farm, 1 mi NW Durham, N43°09.232’, W70°56.374’, 128’, 2–9.X.2003, ZOOL 745/845 class, pitfall, 1 sex?