Lachnophorus Dejean, 1831

Erwin, Terry L. & Zamorano, Laura S., 2014, A synopsis of the tribe Lachnophorini, with a new genus of Neotropical distribution and a revision of the Neotropical genus Asklepia Liebke, 1938 (Insecta, Coleoptera, Carabidae), ZooKeys 430, pp. 1-108 : 15-17

Lachnophorus Dejean, 1831 Down-bearing beetles Figs 15 , 27

Lachnophorus Dejean, 1831:28

Stigmaphorus Motschulsky, 1862:48

Aretaonus Liebke, 1936:461

Type species.

Lachnophorus pilosus Dejean, 1831:29

Way of life.

Size range - 4.0 mm to 6.3 mm; these small beetles are found on bare sandy stream banks in shady forests, or on sand in sunny areas along rivers. Their coloration pattern makes them appear like ants, and movements are ant-like, but they do not necessarily occur with ants. They catch small arthropod prey on the run much like tiger beetles.

Distribution.

Southern United States south to Uruguay, including the larger Caribbean islands.

Notes.

Currently, 42 described species are assigned to this genus. A taxonomic revision of the genus is needed. Identification is very difficult without recourse to types.

References.

Liebherr (1988); Erwin (1991); Ball and Bousquet (2000); Bousquet (2012); Erwin et al. (2012).

Figures

Figure 15 - 18. 15 Lachnophorus sp. Digital Photo-illustration. Habitus, dorsal aspect, based on specimen ADP 132570 from Pakitza, Peru 16 Peruphorticus gulliveri sp. n. Digital Photo-illustration. Habitus, dorsal aspect (specimen slightly teneral) based on specimen BIOLAT 10190 from Pakitza, Peru 17 Peruphorticus gulliveri sp. n. Illustrations, male aedeagus, dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects, and details of armature of endophallus. BIOLAT / COLE 13107, Pakitza, Peru. See Fig. 61 for labeled attributes 18 Peruphorticus gulliveri sp. n. Digital Photo-illustration, female genitalia, based on specimen BIOLAT / COLE 16860 from Pakitza, Peru. A Ventral aspect. Legend, bc bursa copulatrix; co common oviduct; sg spermathecal gland; sgd spermathecal gland duct; sp spermatheca. dorsal aspect; vc villous canal; lt laterotergite; gc 1 gonocoxite 1; gc 2 gonocoxite 2. B Dorsal aspect. Legend, b base of gonocoxite 2; bl blade of gonocoxite 2; des dorsal ensiform seta.

Figures 23 - 28. Mouthparts of adults. 23 Eucaerus sp. Mouthparts, ventral aspect, based on specimen ADP 132552 from Pakitza, Peru 24 Euphorticus sp. Mouthparts, ventral aspect, based on specimen ADP 132558 from Tapilula, Mexico 25 Guatemalteca virgen Erwin. Mouthparts, ventral aspect, based on specimen ADP 132546 from nr. La Virgen, Costa Rica 26 Lachnaces sp. Mouthparts, ventral aspect, based on specimen ADP 132578 from Tambopata Reserved Zone, Explorer's Inn, Peru 27 Lachnophorus sp. Mouthparts, ventral aspect, based on specimen ADP 132570 from Pakitza, Peru 28 Pseudophorticus sp. Mouthparts, ventral aspect, based on specimen ADP 132538 from Pakitza, Peru. Legend: a 3 Antennomere 3; mt Mentum tooth; m Mentum; lp 3 Labial palpomere 3; mp 4 Maxillary palpomere 4.