Fornax bicolor ( Melsheimer, 1844 )

Otto, Robert L., 2020, A review of the Nearctic species of Fornax Laporte (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae: Macraulacini) with descriptions of six new species, Insecta Mundi 2020 (818), pp. 1-26 : 6-9

Fornax bicolor ( Melsheimer, 1844)

Fig. 4, 9–12

Hylochares ? bicolor Melsheimer 1844: 149

Diagnosis. Obtuse to weakly produced last abdominal ventrite distinguishes F. bicolor from all other Nearctic Fornax species except F. convexicollis new species. Absence of the horizontal interantennal carina at the base of the frontoclypeal region further distinguishes the species from F. convexicollis new species.

Type material. A designated female neotype was examined. Pennsylvania: “Alleghen, Pa” / Carn. Mus., Acc. 349” (number handwritten) / “ F. bicolor -, 4045 mels” (folded; red-framed handwritten label) / “ NEOTYPE:, Hylochares , bicolor, Melsheimer, Det. R.L. Otto, 2019 ” (red printed label) ( CMNH).

Specimens examined. Forty seven specimens were available: U.S.A.: ALABAMA: “Corona Mine, Plot 75 –” / “Nr. Oakman, Ala., VI-24-1977, B.A. Hawkins” (month in Roman numeral; month, date and year handwritten) / “ Fornax , bicolor, (Mels.) , J. Muona det.” (species and author names handwritten) (1, USNM); FLORIDA: “MIAMI, FLORIDA, 19-V-60, P.E. Briggs COLL., BLACKLIGHT TRAP” (date handwritten) / “J.N. Knull, Collection” / “ Fornax , bicolor, Mel., det. J. Knull ” (‘Fornax’ and ‘Mel.’ handwritten) (1, FMNH); “ FLORIDA: DADE COUNTY, CAMP MAHACHEE, NR., MATHESON HAMMOCK, 27-V-1983, MC THOMAS & L PARKER, BLACKLIGHT TRAP” / “ Fornax bicolor, Melsheimer, Det. P. Johnson 2014 ” (1, FSCA); “FL: Key Largo, 21.V.85, R.W. Surdick” (date handwritten) / “ROBERT W. SURDICK, COLLECTION, donated 2012, Carnegie Museum, Accession 38.119” / “ Fornax , bicolor, (Melsheimer) , det. R.L. Otto, 2016” (“16” handwritten) (1, CMNH); “FLA: Alachua Co., Gainesville, VI-5–15-1989, Coll. R. Wharton” / “ Fornax , bicolor (Melsh.) , Muona det.” (1, TAMU); “ FLORIDA: Alachua Co., SE Gainesville, Kincaide Rd., old field edge, xeric oak, hamm., 6m Malaise, 13–26-, VI-1999, B.D. Sutton” (1, FSCA); “Fla” / “Horn Coll, H4045” (“4045” handwritten) (2, MCZ); “ Florida: Highlands Co., Archbold Biol. Station, July 5–29 2018, V-flight intercept trap, Kyle E. Schnepp” / “ Fornax , bicolor, (Melsheimer) , Det. R.L. Otto, 2020” (1, KESC); GEORGIA: “Oglethorpe Co., 5.5 km SSE Crawford, 33.83398N, 83.14277W, 239m, 4–17 June 2013 ” / “Lindgren funnel trap, Col: P. Walden, BSF Database, sample ID# 51205” (1, CMNH); ILLINOIS: “ILL” / “Bolter Coll., No. E7657c” (‘7657c’ handwritten) / “J.N. Knull, Collection” / “ Fornax , bicolor, Mel., det. J. Knull ” (‘Fornax’ and ‘Mel.’ handwritten) (1, FMNH); “ Illinois ” (handwritten) / “Merton C. Lane, Collection, 1975” (white printed label with two wide orange bands) / “F., bicolor, Melsh. ” (black framed discolored white label; genus, species and author names handwritten) (1, USNM); “N. Ill” / “H.C. FALL, COL- LECTION” / “ Fornax , bicolor, Melsh ” (handwritten; red framed white label) (1, MCZ); “N. Ill” / “H.C. FALL, COLLECTION” (2, MCZ); “Galesburg, Ill” / “Liebeck, Coll.” / “H.C. FALL, COLLECTION” (1, MCZ); MARY- LAND: “ MARYLAND: Calvert County, Flag Ponds Nature Park, 6 July 1987, A. & B. Norden, D. Williams” (‘6 July’ handwritten) (1, USNM); “ MARYLAND: Pr. Geo. Co., Cheverly, 38°56’N, 76°55’W, 17 July 1992 ” (‘17’ handwritten) / “W.E. Steiner &, J.M. Swearingen, collectors” (1, USNM); MASSACHUSETTS: “Hampshire County, 4.6 km W Ware, 42.26586, −72.29454, 205 m, 6–21 Jul 2016, Lindgren FT, T. Kesting-Handly, BSF#67825” (1, CMNH); MISSOURI: “Mo.” (handwritten) / “ Fornax , bicolor” (handwritten) (1, CMNH); NEW JERSEY: “ NEW JERSEY:, Burlington Co., 3 km NW Jenkins, Hawkin Bridge, 13 July 1984 ” / “W.E. Steiner, D.S. Bogar, J.E. Lowry, G.L. Williams, collectors” (2, USNM); “ NEW JERSEY: Sussex Co, 3.5 km NNE of Hardwick, 41.08169, −74.91179, 306m, 10 Jul–7 Aug 2019, L. Ramos-, Garriga, LFT, BSF#86997” (1, CMNH); NEW YORK: “N.Y.” / “Henry Ulke, Beetle Coll., CMNH Acc., no. 1645” (typed, green label) / “ Fornax , bicolor (Mels.) , J. Muona det. 1985” (species, author and “5” handwritten) (1, CMNH); “N.Y” / “Horn Coll, H4045” (“4045” handwritten) (2, MCZ); NORTH CAROLINA: “Columbus Co., N.C., June 16–19 1952, Light trap” / “J. N. Knull, Collection” / “ Fornax , bicolor, Mel., Det. J. Knull ” (‘bicolor’ and ‘Mel.’ handwritten) (1, FMNH); “N.C” / “Horn Coll, H4045” (“4045” handwritten) (1, MCZ); OHIO: “ OHIO: Gallia County, 28 km W Gallipolis, on Dry Ridge Road, 38.78889, -82.61750, 4–12 August 2003 ” / “Lindgren funnel trap, with EtOH, Trap #7, ice damaged hard-, woods, R. Turcotte” (2, CMNH); “OH: Athens Co., Waterloo State Forest, 31 August–14 September 2013, 16–23 August 2014, K.D. Karns” (2, KDKC); OKLAHOMA: “ OKLAHOMA, LATIMER CO., VI-1984, K. STEPHAN” / “ Fornax , bicolor (Melsh.) , Det. E.G. Riley ‘00” (black framed white label; genus, species, author and “‘00” handwritten) (1, TAMU); PENNSYLVANIA: “Fulton Co., 2.9 km SE Wardfordsburg, 39.73594N, 78.16083W, 195m, 27 Jul–7 Aug 2009 ” / “Lindgren funnel trap, Col: F.E. Dinsmore, BSF Database, sample ID# 27461” (1, CMNH); SOUTH CAROLINA: “McCormick Co., 10.3 km SW McCormick, State W.M.A., nr. Hickory Knob State Park, 33.87771N, 82.39659W ” / “ 3 June 2011, MV/UV light sheet, R.A. Androw, coll.” (1, CMNH); TENNESSEE: “Burrville, VIII-4-56, Tenn., B. Benesh” (handwritten) / “like bicolor, in Horn Coll.” (handwritten) / “J.N. Knull, Collection” / “ Fornax , bicolor, Mel., det. J. Knull ” (‘bicolor’ and ‘Mel.’ handwritten) (1, FMNH); “ TENNESSEE: Sevier Co., GSMNP, Tween Creeks, ATBI Plot MT-0120000802, 18 July–2 August 2000, Parker, Stocks & Petersen” / “LSAM, 0106530” / “ Fornax , bicolor Mels., A.K.Tishechkin det. 2006” (genus, species and author handwritten) ( LSUIC); “ TENNESSEE: Sevier Co., GSMNP, Twin Creeks ATBI, Plot, Malaise Trap MT-, 0220010716, 6–16 July, 2001, I.C. Stocks” / “LSAM, 0106861” / “ Fornax , bicolor Mels., A.K.Tishechkin det. 2006” (genus, species and author handwritten) ( LSUIC); TEXAS: “ TEXAS: Sabine Co., 9 mi., E. Hemphill, “Beech, Bottom”, V-22– VI-4-1989, R. Anderson &E. Morris, Malaise trap, beech-magnolia forest” (2, TAMU); VIRGINIA: “Rockbridge County, 2.6 km NE Buena Vista, 37.752256, -79.33469, 350m, 14 Jul–9 Aug 2016, LFT, D. Heltzel, BSF#69256” (1, CMNH); WISCONSIN: “USA: WI: Adams County, Quincy Bluff Preserve, TNC, 43.86627°N, 89.88363°W, Geodetic datum: WGS84, 26 July–1 August 2011, collector: Daniel K. Young” / “ex. Malaise in Populus , grandidentata blow” (1, GERP; 2, WIRC), “USA: WI: Jackson County, NE of Black River Falls, near Levis Creek [WGS84], 44.31134°N, 90.82335°W, 26 July–02 August 2011, collector: Daniel K. Young” / “ex. Malaise trap in, Quercus - Pinus forest” (1, WIRC), “USA: WI: Jackson County, NE of Black River Falls, near Levis Creek [WGS84], 44.31134°N, 90.82335°W, 02–09 August 2011, collector: Daniel K. Young” / “ex. Malaise trap in, Quercus - Pinus forest” (1, WIRC); UNKNOWN LOCALE: [pink disc] / “bicolor 2” (handwritten) (1, MCZ).

Redescription. Female. Length 7.5–11.0 mm. Width 2.0–3.0 mm. Body subcylindrical, elongate; dorsum uniformly brownish-black, venter reddish-brown; antennae reddish-brown; legs including tarsi reddish-brown; head, pronotum and elytra clothed with short, recumbent yellowish setae ( Fig. 9 ). Head: Subspherical; integument rugose, shiny; frons convex, with median circular fovea above frontoclypeal region; apical margin of frontoclypeal region rounded, about 2 times wider than base; horizontal interantennal carina absent; mandibles stout, bidentate, densely punctate. Antenna: Filiform from antennomeres III–XI, attaining nearly 1/2 of body length; antennomere III longer than IV; antennomere IV slightly shorter than V; antennomeres V–X subequal, longer than wide; antennomere XI slightly longer than X. Pronotum: Integument dull, densely rugose to granulate; wider than long, with moderate, sharp hind angles; parallel-sided in basal 2/3, arcuate anteriorly in apical 1/3; disc convex, with delicate, shallow median groove, without circular fovea; base sinuous, with pair of small circular depressions above scutellar shield. Scutellar shield: Elongate, subtriangular, shallowly punctate, setose and apically bifid. Elytra: Distinctly striate; interstices slightly elevated; integument shiny, with dense punctures appearing transversely rugose. Legs: First tarsomere as long as combined lengths of remaining four on metatarsi, shorter for mesotarsomere in relation to remaining four; tibiae rounded in cross-section; metatarsomeres I–III simple; metatarsomere IV excavated, emarginate; metatarsomere V elongate, with basally toothed claws. Venter ( Fig. 10 ): Closely punctate, with elongate, recumbent yellowish setae; hypomeron with basally open lateral antennal grooves; metepisterna parallel-sided; elytral epipleura shiny, grooved throughout, without punctures; metacoxal plates medially more than 6.0 times wider than laterally; last abdominal ventrite apically obtuse.

Sexual dimorphism. Males ( Fig. 11 ) are similar to females, but can be distinguished by slightly longer antennae reaching 1/2of the body length; the shape of the pronotum and last abdominal ventrite; pronotum parallel-sided in basal 2/3 to 3/4, narrowing anteriorly in apical 1/3 to 1/4; last abdominal ventrite slightly narrower; and body slightly shorter and narrower, with length 7.0–10.0 mm and width 2.0– 2.5 mm.

Aedeagus ( Fig. 12 ). Basal piece slightly longer than wide, parallel-sided, dorsally open, basally rounded; remaining parts elongate, slightly constricted laterally at base of parameres, apically lobed; median lobe elongate and narrow, slightly longer than parameres, apically rounded, narrowly bifid; parameres elongate, with a triangular lateral tooth near base.

Distribution. In Canada, this rarely encountered species was found in Québec. In the United States, F. bicolor has been taken in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland (NEW STATE RECORD), Massachusetts (NEW STATE RECORD), Missouri, New Jersey (NEW STATE RECORD), New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma (NEW STATE RECORD), Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee (NEW STATE RECORD), Texas (NEW STATE RECORD), Virginia and Wisconsin ( Muona 2000; Otto and Karns 2017; Otto and Young 2017).

Biology. Seven specimens were taken from a Lindgren funnel traps placed in Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. One specimen each were taken at blacklight in southern Florida and North Carolina. One specimen was taken from a 6 m Malaise trap placed at the edge of an old field and dry oak hammock in central Florida. Otto and Karns (2017) reported two specimens taken from Lindgren funnel traps baited with a combination of EtOH and Alpha Pinene lure placed in a mixed upland hardwood and Eastern White Pine ( Pinus strobus (Linnaeus) ; Pinaceae ) forest. Two specimens were taken from Malaise traps placed in a national park in Tennessee. One specimen was taken from a combination mercury vapor/ UV lighted sheet in South Carolina. Two specimens were taken from a Malaise trap placed in a beech-magnolia forest in southern Texas. Otto and Young (2017) reported two specimens taken from a Malaise trap placed in an oak-pine forest, as well as several specimens taken from a Malaise trap placed in big-toothed aspen ( Populus grandidentata Michaux ; Salicaceae ) blow area. Developmental stages remain unknown.

Neotype designation. Horn (1886) was the last person to examine the type in Melsheimer’s collection. Muona (2000) did not examine the type and surmised it was presumably lost. Hagen (1884) wrote that all the labels in the Melsheimer collection, including the types, were discarded by one of the assistants and replaced with a reference number correlated to a poorly written catalog. However, the type specimen may have either been misplaced or discarded altogether.

Philip Perkins (in litt.) was unsuccessful in locating the whereabouts of the original specimen in the MCZ. All Fornax specimens held by the MCZ were loaned to me and I have not found the type of that species amongst them. I have exhausted all probable venues to track down the whereabouts of the type. It is therefore likely the original type is lost, just as previously noted by Muona (2000). Melsheimer (1844) described F. bicolor based on a single specimen from an unknown locality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

With the original type lost, designation of a neotype for that species is warranted to stabilize the taxonomic status of the species, in accordance with the ICZN (1999) Article 75.3. The collecting and repository data on the neotype selected are listed above in the Type material.

Note. Three specimens identified as F. bicolor from Indiana have been misidentified, they are now identified as F. appalachiensis new species. One Arkansas specimen previously studied by J. Muona was made available for study by the Snow Entomology Museum (SEMC). That specimen was misidentified, it is now identified as Fornax lucidicollis new species One specimen from Québec has not been verified because I could not locate it. Five CMNH specimens examined by Muona (2000) (listed as ICCM) were available for study. One specimen labeled “St. Vine, Penn.”, which has Muona’s Fornax bicolor identification label, was misidentified. That specimen is now identified as a small teneral male of O. canadensis (Brown) . A second specimen taken in Louisiana by H. Ulke was also misidentified. That specimen belongs to Fornax convexicollis new species (see below).

Figures

Figures 9–12. Fornax bicolor (Melsheimer). 9) Female, non-type, dorsal habitus. 10) Female, non-type, ventral habitus. 11) Male, dorsal habitus. 12) Male aedeagus, dorsal view. (Scale: 9–12 = 1.0 mm.)