Eleodes suturalis ( Say, 1823 )

Triplehorn, Charles A., Thomas, Donald B. & Rile, Edward G., 2009, The Genus Eleodes Eschscholtz (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) In Texas, The Coleopterists Bulletin 63 (4), pp. 413-437 : 432

Eleodes suturalis ( Say, 1823)

(Fig. 25, Map 10)

Diagnosis. Very large, elongate, elytral dorsum flattened and slightly concave, frequently reddish along the suture. Sides of the elytra have an acute, slightly reflexed margin with the surface sulcate. Pronotum deeply concave anteriorly, widest at the middle, lateral margins dilated and reflexed. Profemora are dentate in both sexes. Length: 21–35 mm.

Distribution. Widely distributed in Texas, Eleodes texanus Horn is a synonym of this species. The types of the latter were collected by LeConte at the ‘‘Ringold Barracks’’ which still exist at Rio Grande City. It is also found in the Great Basin states from North Dakota to Arizona. There are no records for Canada and Mexico. It is one of the false wireworms that are pests because the larvae feed on germinating wheat seeds (Calkins and Kirk 1973).