NITIDULIDAE

Ferro, Michael L., Nguyen, Nhu H., Tishechkin, Alexey, Park, Jong-Seok, Bayless, Victoria & Carlton, Christopher E., 2013, Coleoptera Collected from Rotting Fishhook Barrel Cacti (Ferocactus wislizeni (Engelm.) Britton and Rose), with a Review of Nearctic Coleoptera Associated with Succulent Necrosis, The Coleopterists Bulletin 67 (4), pp. 419-443 : 429-431

NITIDULIDAE

Carpophilinae

Carpophilus Stephens

The genus contains nearly 200 species worldwide ( Williams et al. 1983) and is in need of revision. The Nearctic species were last treated by Parsons (1943, who stated “No one realizes more clearly than the writer how imperfect the key is.”), with synonymies and additions by Connell (1984). Thirty-four species are recognized from the Nearctic region (Poole and Gentili 1996). Williams et al. (1983) provided a bibliography of literature on Carpophilus . Hinton (1945b) offered information on Nitidulidae associated with stored products (including some Carpophilus ) with biological information and keys and figures to adults, larvae, and pupae. Jelínek et al. (2010) provided an overview of the distribution, ecology, morphology, and phylogeny of Nitidulidae , including reference to Carpophilus .

Carpophilus are found at flowers, at sap under bark, in decaying or dried fruit and in fungi ( Parsons 1943). Adults and immatures are often found in the same area. Like most members of their family, Carpophilus feed on macro- and microscopic fungi that occur on decaying organic and vegetable matter ( Jelínek et al. 2010).

Carpophilus discoideus LeConte ( Fig. 15 )

Comments. S e e C a r p o p h i l u s a b o v e a n d Williams et al. (1983) for early papers that mention the species.

Range. Throughout the contiguous USA ( Parsons 1943).

Habitat. Poorly known except in relation to human endeavors; decaying fruit in orchards ( Fall 1901).

Biology. Poorly known.

Additional References. Fall 1901; Fall and Cockerell 1907; Griffith 1900; Horn 1879; LeConte 1858a, b; Leng 1920; Moore 1937; Murray 1864 (key to species); Putnam 1876; Woodworth 1913.

Carpophilus lugubris Murray ( Fig. 16 )

Comments. See Carpophilus above.

Range. Temperate regions of Western Hemisphere, Brazil and Central America to Mexico and throughout the contiguous USA ( Parsons 1943; Connell 1991).

Habitat. Poorly known except in relation to human endeavors (see Williams et al. 1983).

Biology. Associated with the spread of and emergent from trees killed by oak wilt (Dorsey and Leach 1956); associated with sweet corn ( Williams et al. 1983); Harrison (1962) gave description of infestation of cornfields with life history data; attracted to exudate of Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex A. Gray ( Asteraceae ) (Linsley and Cazier 1963).

Additional References. Blac kwe lde r 195 7; Connell 1956, 1977, 1991 (key to stored food pest species); Crotch 1873; Parsons 1943 (key to species); Murray 1864 (key to species); Sharp 1905b.

Figures

Figs. 13–19. Habitus images of Coleoptera in decayed barrel cacti. 13) Dactylosternum cacti; 14) Litargus balteatus; 15) Carpophilus discoideus; 16) Carpophilus lugubris; 17) Aleochara (Maseochara) depressa; 18) Aleochara (Maseochara) valida; 19) Diestota sp.