Microsaurus mesomelinus, (Marsham, 1802)

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 : 305-306

Quedius (Microsaurus) mesomelinus (Marsham, 1802) Map 17

Material examined.

Additional New Brunswick records, Carleton Co., Jackson Falls, Bell Forest, 46.2200°N, 67.7231°W, 18.IX.2006, 9.X.2006, R. P. Webster, mature hardwood forest, under bark of large dead standing basswood covered with bracket fungi (1 ♂, 1 ♀, RWC); same locality, 4-12.VI.2008, 12-19.VI.2008, 19-27.VI.2008, 5-12.VII.2008, 12-19.VII.2008, 19-28.VII.2008, R. P. Webster, mature hardwood forest, Lindgren funnel traps (2 ♂, 4 ♀, 7 sex undetermined, AFC, RWC); same locality, 14-20.V.2009, 16-21.VI.2009, R. Webster & M.-A. Giguère, mature hardwood forest, Lindgren funnel traps (2, AFC). Restigouche, Co., Dionne Brook P.N.A., 47.9064°N, 68.3441°W, 27.VI-14.VII.2011, M. Roy & V. Webster, old-growth white spruce and balsam fir forest, Lindgren funnel trap (1, NBM). York Co., Odell Park, 45.9570°N, 66.6695°W, 19.VI.2005, R. P. Webster, moist wood chips and decaying plant material (1 ♀, RWC).

Collection and habitat data.

In Europe, this species is typically found in synanthropic situations in decaying organic materials such as compost ( Smetana 1971a). It has also been reported from mammal burrows, tree holes, and caves in natural settings. In New Brunswick, adults were collected from under bark of a fungus-covered, dead, standing basswood, among moist wood chips and decaying plant material, and from Lindgren funnel traps deployed in a hardwood forest and an old-growth white spruce and balsam fir forest. Adults were captured in June, July, September, and October.

Distribution in Canada and Alaska.

AK,BC, AB, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, NF ( Smetana 1971a; Majka and Smetana 2007). This adventive species was first reported from New Brunswick by Majka and Smetana (2007) from specimens collected in Saint John in 1907 by G. Morrisey.

Figures

Map 17. Collection localities in New Brunswick, Canada of Quedius mesomelinus.