Phyllobaenus humeralis (Say, 1823)

Majka, Christopher G., 2006, The checkered beetles (Coleoptera: Cleridae) of the Maritime Provinces of Canada, Zootaxa 1385, pp. 31-46 : 35

Phyllobaenus humeralis (Say, 1823)

NEW BRUNSWICK: Kent Co.: Kouchibouquac National Park: 12.vii.1978, S.J. Miller, CNC; 16.vi.1978, D.B. Lyons, CNC; 11.vii.1978, H. Goulet, CNC; 4.viii.1977, G.A. Calderwood, CNC; 2.vii.1977, J.R. Vockeroth, CNC. NOVA SCOTIA: 47 specimens examined from Cape Breton, Colchester, Halifax, Kings, Pictou, Queens, Richmond, Shelburne, and Victoria counties. The earliest record is from 1945 (Halifax Co.: French Village, 9.viii.1945, D.C. Ferguson, NSMC). PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Kings Co.: Greenwich, 2.viii.1997, D.B. McCorquodale, (2), CBU; Queens Co.: Wood Islands, 16.vii.2002, C.G. Majka, CGMC; Wood Islands, 30.vi.2003, C.G. Majka, CGMC; North Rustico. 26.vi.2003, C.G. Majka, (2), CGMC.

Newly recorded in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Widely distributed in the region ( Figure 2 ). Collected in many habitats (coastal heath barrens, coastal dunes, pine barrens, along rivers, ravines, deciduous forests), often on the foliage or blossoms of trees or shrubs such as Betula papyrifera Marshall (Betulaceae) , Diervilla lonicera P. Mi ll ( Caprifoliaceae ), Viburnum nudum L. ( Caprifoliaceae ), and Spiraea alba Duroi (Rosaceae) . The form difficilis (LeConte, 1849) is also found in the region.

Species of Phyllobaenus are commonly collected by sweeping grass or beating live and dead branches with or without foliage. They have been reared from insect galls and cotton bolls and are known to prey on small wood borers, immature weevils, and hymenopterous larvae ( Opitz 2002).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Distribution of Phyllobaenus humeralis and P. lecontei in the Maritime Provinces.