Hylota ochracea Casey

Klimaszewski, Jan, Larson, David J., Labrecque, Myriam & Bourdon, Caroline, 2016, Twelve new species and fifty-three new provincial distribution records of Aleocharinae rove beetles of Saskatchewan, Canada (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), ZooKeys 610, pp. 45-112 : 82-83

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Staphylinidae

Hylota ochracea Casey

(for illustrations, see Klimaszewski et al. 2006)

Distribution.

Natural history.

In SK, one specimen was collected from pigeon coop, one from carrion trap, and one from unspecified habitat. In NB, Hylota ochracea was a common inhabitant of barred owl nests ( Webster et al. 2009). Barred owl nests were in tree holes (usually in large trees) and in artificial nest boxes ( Webster et al. 2009). Adults of Hylota ochracea occurred in the nest contents, which usually consisted of rich decaying organic material with bones, fur, owl pellets, portions of dead prey items (mice, squirrels, small birds), and often the contents had a strong urine smell. This species was also found in the nest contents of the great horned owl. Majka et al. (2006) reported this species from the nests of the boreal owl, Aegolius funereus richardsoni (Bonaparte) and northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus (Gmelin) in Nova Scotia. Interestingly, Hylota ochracea was also common among decaying vegetables inside a plastic compost bin, which in some respects mimics the conditions found within a tree hole occupied by an owl ( Webster et al. 2009). Only one adult of Hylota ochracea has been captured in New Brunswick in a habitat other than a tree hole or other enclosed situation; in drift material along a river margin ( Webster et al. 2009). Adults were collected in May, June, August and September.