Microsaurus erythrogaster, Mannerheim, 1852

Webster, Reginald P., Smetana, Ales, Sweeney, Jon D. & DeMerchant, Ian, 2012, New Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) records with new collection data from New Brunswick and an addition to the fauna of Quebec: Staphylininae, ZooKeys 186, pp. 293-348 : 304-305

Quedius (Microsaurus) erythrogaster Mannerheim, 1852 Map 16

Material examined.

Additional New Brunswick records, Carleton Co., Jackson Falls, Bell Forest, 46.2208°N, 67.7211°W, 10.IV.2005, R. P. Webster, mature hardwood forest, in leaf litter at base of tree (1 ♂, RWC). Queens Co., Cranberry Lake P.N.A., 46.1125°N, 65.6075°W, 24.IV-5 V.2009, 5-12 V.2009, R. Webster & M.-A. Giguère, mature red oak forest, Lindgren funnel traps (2, AFC). Restigouche Co., Dionne Brook P.N.A., 47.9030°N, 68.3503°W, 27.VI-14.VII.2011, M. Roy & V. Webster, old-growth northern hardwood forest, Lindgren funnel traps (1 ♂, 2 ♀, NBM, RWC). Sunbury Co., Noonan, 45.9923°N, 66.4099°W, 22.VI.2007, S. Makepeace & R. Webster, mature mixed forest, in nest contents of barred owl, 7 m high in cavity in a red maple (1 ♂, 1 ♀, RWC); Acadia Research Forest, 45.9866°N, 66.3841°W, 22-25.IV.2009, 25.IV-4.V.2009, 4-11.V.2009, 19-25.V.2009, R. Webster & M.-A. Giguère, mature (110-year-old) red spruce forest with scattered red maple and balsam fir, Lindgren funnel traps (4, AFC). York Co., Charters Settlement, 45.8395°N, 66.7391°W, 18.IV.2004, 30.IV.2004, 5.V.2006, 9.V.2006, R. P. Webster, mixed forest, in compost (decaying vegetables) (2 ♂, 2 ♀, RWC); same locality but 45.8430°N, 66.7275°W, 6.X.2005, R. P. Webster, regenerating mixed forest, baited with pile of decaying mushrooms (2 ♂, RWC); 15 km W of Tracy off Rt. 645, 45.6848°N, 66.8821°W, 22-25.IV.2009, 25.IV-4.V.2009, 4-11.V.2009, 19-25.V.2009, R. Webster & M.-A. Giguère, Lindgren funnel traps (4, AFC).

Collection and habitat data.

Quedius erythrogaster typically lives in nests and burrows of various mammals and in caves but has been found in decaying organic matter and debris ( Smetana 1971a), including wet leaf litter ( Smetana 1976). In New Brunswick, adults were found in leaf litter early in the season when snow was still present (possibly an overwinter site), compost (decaying vegetables), and decaying mushrooms. Other adults were collected from the nest contents of a barred owl in a tree hole, suggesting this species may also live in association with tree-cavity-nesting birds. Adults were also captured in Lindgren funnels traps deployed in an old red oak forest, an old red pine forest, and an old-growth northern hardwood forest. Adults were collected in April, May, June, July, and October.

Distribution in Canada and Alaska.

BC, AB, SK, ON, QC, NB ( Smetana 1971a, 1973, 1976, 1981). Quedius erythrogaster was listed as occurring in New Brunswick by Majka et al. (2011) without any supporting references or data. Here, we provide the first documented records from New Brunswick.

Figures

Map 15. Collection localities in New Brunswick and Quebec, Canada of Quedius criddlei.