Elaterinae

Majka, Christopher G. & Johnson, Paul J., 2008, The Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Maritime Provinces of Canada: faunal composition, new records, and taxonomic changes, Zootaxa 1811, pp. 1-33 : 9-14

Elaterinae

Sericus honestus (Randall, 1838)

NOVA SCOTIA: 65 specimens examined from Colchester, Cumberland, Halifax, Hants, Inverness, and Richmond counties. The earliest record is from 1995 (Colchester Co.: Kemptown, 14.vi.1995, C. Corkum, deciduous forest, flight-intercept trap, NSMC; Nuttby Mt., 14.vi.1995, C. Corkum, deciduous forest, flightintercept trap, NSMC.

Newly recorded in Nova Scotia. Collected in both coniferous and deciduous forests of all ages.

Sericus incongruus ( LeConte, 1853)

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Queens Co.: Pinette, 24.vi.2003, C.G. Majka, coastal forest, CGMC.

Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. In Nova Scotia collected in red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg. ) and eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) forests of all ages. Reported from forested areas in western Canada by Brooks (1960). In some studies (i.e., Boiteau et al. 2000) the Palaearctic species, Sericus brunneus (Linnaeus, 1758) , has also been reported in the region. There is continuing uncertainty as to whether S. incongruous and S. brunneus represent distinct species or a single Holarctic species. Pending further investigation we treat all the specimens from the region as the Nearctic S. incongruus .

Megapenthes stigmosus ( LeConte, 1853)

NOVA SCOTIA: Hants Co.: Mount Uniake, 27.viii.2004, D. MacDonald, NSNR.

Newly recorded in Nova Scotia. A boreal forest species ( Becker 1971); predominantly found in poplar forests and parklands; usually collected on dense undergrowth ( Brooks 1960).

Agriotes pubescens Melsheimer, 1845

This species was reported from New Brunswick by Bousquet (1991), however, no voucher specimens were located in any collection, nor are there published records from the province. Becker (1956, pp. 69) writes that, "in many collections pubescens is confused with quebecensis " and his accompanying range map shows it occurring east only to southern Québec and western Maine. Accordingly, the species is removed from the faunal list of Nova Scotia.

Agriotes quebecensis Brown, 1933

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Queens Co.: Wheatly River, 2.vi.1971, J. MacLeod, on alder, UPEI. Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. No additional information on bionomics is available.

Agriotes sputator (Linnaeus, 1758)

NOVA SCOTIA: Digby Co.: Marshalltown, 16.vi.1952, 9.ix.1952, C.J.S. Fox, (4), NSAC. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Queens Co.: Pownal, 19.vi.1997, J.G. Stewart, ACPE; Pownal, 18.vi.2001, M.E. Smith, (8), ACPE.

This introduced and invasive Palaearctic species is newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. It was first recorded in North America in New Brunswick in 1939 ( Brown 1940). The earliest records from Nova Scotia are from 1952 (see above). Adults are frequently found in pastures and grasslands where the larvae (wireworms) feed on the roots of various species of grasses ( Brian 1947). In Nova Scotia the species has attained very high population densities (3 million/acre) in wheat fields; the larvae prefer slightly drier and lighter soils than A. mancus (Say) ( Becker 1956) .

Agriotes stabilis ( LeConte, 1853)

NOVA SCOTIA: 60 specimens examined from Cape Breton, Colchester, Cumberland, Digby, Guysborough, Halifax, Hants, Lunenburg, Queens, Richmond, and Shelburne counties. The earliest record is from 1945 (Lunenburg Co.: Bridgewater, 30.vi.1945, collector not recorded, NSMC). PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Queens Co.: Cavendish, 14.vii.2002, C.G. Majka, coastal lagoon, (4), CGMC; St. Patricks, 17.viii.2002, C.G. Majka, old field, CGMC; Wood Islands, 30.vi.2003, C.G. Majka, coastal forest, CGMC.

Newly recorded from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Usually collected on hazel, dogwood, and willow near small ponds within larger deciduous forests ( Brooks 1960). In Nova Scotia found in deciduous, coniferous, mixed forests, and adjacent clearings. Common on undergrowth (especially on wood fern) in birch-poplar stands; the larvae prefer sandy soils where they are predators in the humus layer ( Becker 1956).

Dalopius fuscipes Brown, 1934

NEW BRUNSWICK: Kings Co.: Grand Bay, 28.vi.1990, D.F. McAlpine, NBM; Saint John Co.: Saint John, 7.vi.1990, Jarvis and Bedell, NBM.

Newly recorded in New Brunswick. In Nova Scotia found predominantly in deciduous forests of various ages; occasionally in coniferous forests.

Dalopius gentilis Brown, 1934

NOVA SCOTIA: 45 specimens examined from Colchester, Guysborough, Halifax, Hants, Kings, Lunenburg, Pictou, Queens, and Richmond counties. The earliest record is from 1989 (Richmond Co.: St. Peters, 3.vi.1989, E. Georgeson, NSNR). PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Queens Co.: Millvale, 25.vi.2003, C.G. Majka, deciduous forest, (5), CGMC.

Newly recorded from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the Maritime Provinces as a whole. In New Brunswick Boiteau et al. (2000) reported 4 specimens of Dalopius prob. gentilis . In Nova Scotia found in red spruce ( Picea rubens ), hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ), and white pine ( Pinus strobus L.) stands, frequently in mature or old-growth forests.

Dalopius pennsylvanicus Brown, 1934

NOVA SCOTIA: Guysborough Co.: Malay Lake, 15–30.vi.1997, D.J. Bishop, red spruce forest, flightintercept trap, NSMC.

Newly recorded in Nova Scotia and in Canada. Found most commonly in ecotones or in open areas of mixed deciduous and coniferous forest (unpublished data).

Dalopius vagus Brown, 1934

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: 43 specimens examined from Kings, Prince, and Queens counties. The earliest record is from 1971 (Queens Co.: Wheatley River, 2.vi.1971, J. MacLeod, on alder, UPEI).

Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. In Nova Scotia found in coniferous and deciduous forests of every age as well as in adjacent open areas. In the Prairie Provinces found in grassy pastures ( Brooks 1960).

Ampedus areolatus (Say, 1823)

NOVA SCOTIA: Kings Co.: Kentville, 7.vi.1996, D.H. Webster, DHWC.

Newly recorded from Nova Scotia and in the Maritime Provinces as a whole. In the United States found associated with many deciduous and coniferous trees.

Ampedus collaris ( Say, 1825)

NEW BRUNSWICK: Kings Co.: Penobsquis, 26.vii.1926, C.A. Frost, CNC.

Newly recorded from New Brunswick. Recorded from hickory ( Carya sp.), red spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss ), and white pine ( Pinus strobus L.) ( Ramberg 1979). In Nova Scotia reared from white spruce (unpublished data).

Ampedus fusculus ( LeConte, 1853)

NOVA SCOTIA: 23 specimens examined from Antigonish, Colchester, Cumberland, Guysborough, Halifax, and Hants counties. The earliest record is from 1990 (Colchester Co.: Masstown, 15.vi.1990, T.D. Smith, NSNR).

Newly recorded from Nova Scotia. In Nova Scotia found in red ( Picea rubens ) and black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP.) forests. Beaten from spruce ( Ramberg 1979).

Ampedus laesus ( LeConte, 1853)

NOVA SCOTIA: Halifax Co.: Pockwock Lake, 1–16.vii.1997, D.J. Bishop, red-spruce forest, flight-intercept trap, NSMC.

Newly recorded from Nova Scotia and in the Maritime Provinces as a whole. Collected from rotting wood of white pine ( Pinus strobus ) ( Ramberg 1979).

Ampedus laurentinus Brown, 1933

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Queens Co.: Wood Islands, 29.viii.2003, C.G. Majka, seashore, CGMC. Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. In Nova Scotia found in coniferous forests. In boreal forests on aspen and poplar ( Populus sp.) ( Brooks 1960).

Ampedus luctuosus ( LeConte, 1853)

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Kings Co.: Greenwich, 11.vi.1971, A. Joshi, rotten wood, (2), UPEI; Queens Co.: Brackley Beach, 13.vii.1971, A. Joshi, on sand, UPEI.

Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. In Nova Scotia found in red spruce ( Picea rubens ), black spruce ( Picea mariana ), and hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ) forests of various ages; occasionally in deciduous forests. Beaten from fir ( Abies sp.) ( Ramberg 1979).

Ampedus nigricollis (Herbst, 1806)

NOVA SCOTIA: Halifax Co.: Lawrencetown, 13.ix.1964, C.J.S. Fox, ACNS; Hants Co.: Quarry Lake, 14.vi.2005, C. Sheffield and S. Westby, malaise trap, ACNS; Kings Co.: Aldershot, 6.vi.1952, H.T. Stultz, on apple, ACNS; Cambridge Station, 26.v.1960, D.H. Webster, on rotting polar stump, DHWC; Hall's Harbour, 16.xii.1956, C.J.S. Fox, in rotten spruce stump, ACNS; Kentville, 16.x.1965 & 2.vi.1966, C.J.S. Fox, ACNS; Kentville, 25.v.1966, C.J.S. Fox, reared from rotten apple wood, tenereal, ACNS; Sheffield Mills, 2.xii.1966, C.J.S. Fox, ACNS.

Newly recorded from Nova Scotia and the Maritime Provinces as a whole. Found under loose bark or other cover ( Dietrich 1945). Collected from rotting wood of sweet birch ( Betula lenta L.), chestnut ( Carya sp.), maple ( Acer sp.), tupelo ( Nyssa sp.), trembling aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx. ), pine ( Pinus sp.), oak ( Quercus sp.), willow ( Salix sp.), hemlock ( Tsuga sp.), elm ( Ulmus americana L.), and on flowers of purple angelica (Angelica atropurpurea L.) and from fungus ( Ramberg 1979).

Ampedus pullus Germar, 1844

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: no locality noted, 1973–1984, UPEI; Queens Co.: Churchill, 2.vi.1982, R. Wenn, meadow, UPEI; Pownal or Belle River, 10.vi.1993, M.E. Smith, on blueberry, ACPE; St. Patricks, 22.vii.2001, C.G. Majka, old field, CGMC.

Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. In Nova Scotia found in coniferous forests on red spruce ( Picea rubens ), black spruce ( Picea mariana ), and jack pine ( Pinus banksiana ). On pine and spruce ( Brooks 1960). Recorded from jack pine ( Pinus banksiana ), ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson), white pine ( Pinus strobus ), and douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco ) ( Ramberg 1979).

Ampedus rubricus ( Say, 1825)

NEW BRUNSWICK: Saint John Co.: Saint John, 6.viii.1902, W. McIntosh, NBM; Yo r k C o.: Charters Settlement, 45.84ºN, 66.72ºW, 29.iv.2000, R.P. Webster, RWC. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Queens Co.: Strathgartney, 9.vi.1982, V. Bryanthon, woods' edge, UPEI.

Newly recorded from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. In Nova Scotia found in deciduous forests; in rotten red oak ( Quercus rubra L.) and apple ( Pyrus malus L.) wood. Downie & Arnett (1996) say that adults are locally common on Crataegus sp. and Prunus sp. blossoms.

Ampedus sanguinipennis (Say, 1823)

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Queens Co.: Cavendish, 19.vii.2001, C.G. Majka, coastal vegetation, CGMC.

Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. In Nova Scotia adults found on apple ( Pyrus malus ) and yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britt. ) (unpublished data). Recorded from cypress ( Cupressus sp.), pine ( Pinus sp.), oak ( Quercus sp.), and willow ( Salix sp.) ( Ramberg 1979).

Ampedus sayi ( LeConte, 1853)

NOVA SCOTIA: Kings Co.: Hall's Harbour, 16.xii.1956, C.J.S. Fox, in birch, ACNS; Kentville, 6.v.1949, R.E. Morehouse, NSAC.

Newly recorded from Nova Scotia, where one specimen was found in a decomposing birch.

Ampedus semicinctus (Randall, 1838)

NEW BRUNSWICK: Saint John Co.: Saint John, 23.vii.1902, W. McIntosh, NBM; Yo r k C o.: Fredericton, 1992–1995, (2), Boiteau et al. (2000). PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Kings Co.: Woodville Mills, 20.viii.2007, C.G. Majka, along small brook, CGMC; Queens Co.: St. Patricks, 25.vi.2003, C.G. Majka, mixed forest, CGMC.

Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. In Nova Scotia found in mixed red spruce ( Picea rubens ), white pine ( Pinus strobus ), hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ), and balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) forests. Found under loose pine ( Pinus sp.) bark and beating chestnut oak ( Quercus prinus L.) ( Ramberg 1979).

Ampedus " subtilis " (LeConte, 1884)

NEW BRUNSWICK: Kings Co.: Canaan, 11.v.1978, Y. Bossé, UMNB; Saint John Co.: Saint John, 21.v.1898, W. McIntosh, NBM. NOVA SCOTIA: Annapolis Co.: Falkland Ridge, 29.iv.1961, D.H. Webster, under bark, pine stump, DHWC; Paradise, 3.v.2004, K. Webster, flight-intercept trap, NSNR; Guysborough Co.: Melopseketch Lake, 15.vi.1995, C. Corkum, young deciduous forest, flight-intercept trap, NSMC; Halifax Co.: 9.viii.2003, P. Dollin, red spruce forest, funnel trap, NSMC; Herring Cove, 28.vii.2002, coastal barren, C.G. Majka, CGMC; Point Pleasant Park, 9.vi.2002, 15.vii.2001, C.G. Majka, coniferous forest, (2), CGMC; Hants Co.: Mount Uniake, 5.vii.2004, D. MacDonald, flight-intercept trap, NSNR; Smiley's Park, 16.vii.2004, D. MacDonald, flight-intercept trap, NSNR; Queens Co.: Butler Rd., 28.vi.2006, J. Brown, flight-intercept trap, NSNR; Eight Mile Lake, 10.vi.2003, P. Dollin, hemlock-red spruce forest, (2), NSMC; Sixth Lake, 20.vi.2003, P. Dollin, old-growth hemlock forest, NSMC; Lunenburg Co.: Bridgewater, 19.vii.1971, B. Wright, NSMC; Victoria Co.: Big Barren, 14.vi.1983, B. Wright, NSMC.

Newly recorded from New Brunswick. In Nova Scotia found in red spruce ( Picea rubens ) and hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ) stands, under pine ( Pinus sp.) bark, and also in coastal barrens, marshes, and around buildings (unpublished data).

Ampedus " subtilis " was recorded from Sable Island, NS by Wright (1989). Additional records are given above. Ampedus subtilis is, however, in the process of revision by F. Ramberg (pers. comm.) and it appears that the species known under this name in the Maritime Provinces is actually an undescribed one. We provisionally refer to it as Ampedus " subtilis " in the expectation that forthcoming revisionary work will clarify and alter its status.

Ampedus 1 undescribed [Ramberg, manuscript species]

NOVA SCOTIA: Guysborough Co.: Dayspring Lake, 1–16.vii.1997, D.J. Bishop, red spruce forest, flightintercept trap, NSMC; Lunenburg Co.: Card Lake, 2–15.vi.1997, D.J. Bishop, old-growth red spruce/hemlock forest, flight-intercept trap, NSMC.

Newly recorded in Nova Scotia and in the Maritime Provinces as a whole. This species has been confused with A. luctuosus (LeConte) in collections.

Ampedus 2 undescribed [Ramberg, manuscript species]

NOVA SCOTIA: Annapolis Co.: Paradise, 30.vi.2004, K. Webster, flight-intercept trap, NSNR; Halifax Co.: Soldier Lake, 5.vii.2004, D. MacDonald, flight-intercept trap, NSNR; Lunenburg Co.: Bridgewater, 30.vi.1965, B. Wright, (5), NSMC; Queens Co.: no locality specified, 11.vii.1965, C.J.S. Fox, (2), ACNS; no locality specified, 17.vii.1967, C.J.S. Fox, ACNS. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: no locality specified, 1974-1983, (2), UPEI.

Newly recorded from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the Maritime Provinces as a whole. Collected from rotting wood of chestnut ( Castanea sp.) and jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb. ) ( Ramberg 1979). This species has often been determined as A. melsheimeri (Leng) in collections.

Melanotus decumanus (Erichson, 1841)

NEW BRUNSWICK: York Co.: Fredericton, 1992–1995, potato field, Boiteau et al. (2000). PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Queens Co.: Pinette, 24, vi.2003, C.G. Majka, coastal forest, CGMC.

Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. Worthy of attention is Boiteau et al. 's (2000) record of this species from New Brunswick. Although not indicated as such in the paper, this was a new record for this species in New Brunswick. Larvae are subcortical in decaying snags, logs, and stumps, especially at ground-level or in underground portions, where they are predators on other invertebrates. Collected throughout its range in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests of late second growth or older ages (unpublished data).

Melanotus similis ( Kirby, 1837)

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Kings Co.: Launching, 23.vii.2001, C.G. Majka, coniferous forest, CGMC; Queens Co.: St. Patricks, 27.vi.2003, C.G. Majka, coniferous forest, funnel trap, CGMC.

Newly recorded from Prince Edward Island. In Nova Scotia generally found in open habitats. In Québec collected in raspberry plantations and pine woods ( Levesque & Levesque 1993). This is the so-called “corn wireworm” of southern regions. The larva is a soil predator in meadow, field, and ecotonal areas, and facultatively feeds on sprouting corn and other seeds in agricultural situations (P. Johnson, unpublished data).