Atheta irrita Casey, 1911

Webster, Reginald, Klimaszewski, Jan, Pelletier, Georges & Savard, Karine, 2009, New Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) records with new collection data from New Brunswick, Canada. I. Aleocharinae, ZooKeys 22 (22), pp. 171-248 : 220-221

Atheta irrita Casey, 1911

Fig 40, Map 40

New Records. CANADA, New Brunswick, Carleton Co., Meduxnekeag River Valley Nature Preserve, 46.1940°N, 67.6800°W, 20.VI.2006, 23.VI.2006 (3 ♁, 1 ♀, RWC) ; Meduxnekeag River Valley Nature Preserve, 46.1927°N, 67.6803°W, 6.VII.2006 (2 ♁, RWC) . Queens Co., McAlpines near Upper Hampstead Rd. , 45.7250°N, 66.1200°W, 26.VI.2008, S. Makepeace and R.P. Webster (1 ♁, RWC) ; Rees, near Grand Lake , 46.0016°N, 65.9466°W, 29.V.2007, S. Makepeace and R.P. Webster (1 ♁, NBM) . Sunbury Co., near Sunpoke Lake , 45.7658°N, 66.5546°W, 20.VI.2007 (1 ♀, RWC) . Westmorland Co., Sackville, near Ogden Mill , 45.9216°N, 64.3893°W, 12.V.2006, S. Makepeace (2 ♁, 3 ♀, NBM, RWC) . York Co., Graham Corner , 45.8565°N, 67.7083°W, 26.VI.2007, S. Makepeace and R.P. Webster (1 ♁, NBM) ; Marysville , 45.9750°N, 66.5700°W, 22.VI.2007, S. Makepeace and R.P. Webster (1 ♀, NBM) .

Bionomic Notes. Atheta irrita was a common inhabitant of the nests of barred owls, which nest in tree holes (usually in large trees) or artificial nest boxes. Adults

Map 40. Collection localities in New Brunswick, Canada of Atheta irrita .

occurred in the nest contents that usually consisted of rich decaying organic material with bones, fur, owl pellets, portions of dead prey items (mice, squirrels, small birds), and the contents often had a strong urine smell. Th is species was also found in the nest contents of the great horned owl. Majka et al. (2006a) reported this species from the nests of the boreal owl and northern saw-whet owl in Nova Scotia. Atheta irrita was also found at several sites in New Brunswick in Pleurotus sp. (oyster mushrooms) in the early stages of decay on dead standing trembling aspen trees in oak forests and mixed forests. Th is data suggests that A. irrita is associated with decaying organic material on standing trees. Adults were collected in May and June. Collection method: sifting.

Distribution in Canada and Alaska. QC, NB, NS ( Majka et al. 2006a; Gouix and Klimaszewski 2007).