REDISCOVERY OF CARDIOPHORUS ROBUSTUS LECONTE, 1853

Recently, 3 specimens of C. robustus have been discovered from Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. All records are voucheridentified specimens originally posted by participants of the Bug-Guide website. Specimens have label data as follows: “ME: York Co., Kennebunk-Parson’s Beach, 23-III-2012, B. Woo (BG622804)” [BAMC], approximate locality 43.3420°N, 70.5200°W; “MA: Middle-sex Co., Shirley, 6-V-2012, T. Murray (BG638283),” approximate locality 42.5400°N, 71.6500°W [BAMC]; “ USA: RI, Washington County, Block Island, sandy path along coastal bluff, A. Hunt,” approximate locality 41.2070°N, 71.5580°W. These new records suggest that this species did not become extinct as suspected. The conservation status of this species remains unknown .

REMARKS

Finding a new species of Cardiophorus with no morphological affinities to other North American species was surprising given that Douglas (2003) examined over 6,000 specimens from the region. The present find suggests that further collecting is needed in other ecosystems within the eastern USA. It is encouraging to recognize that C. robustus continues to persist in rare sandy habitats in highly populated northeastern USA. This suggests that habitat conservation measures have had a positive effect on this species. However, it is unknown whether sufficient habitat exists for long-term survival of C. carinatus and C. robustus .