Atlantic Canada Coleoptera

Larinus planus

The aim of this site is to highlight particularly fascinating species of beetles found in Atlantic Canada. While the focus is primarily on the Maritime Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) some attention is also given to Newfoundland. The intention is to both profile the fauna for the general layperson as well as providing resources and tools of assistance to researchers who are interested in Coleoptera.

The website is only in its infancy, however, it will continue to expand as time and resources are available. In Nova Scotia almost 2,150 species of beetles have been recorded to date and the number of species in the Maritime Provinces probably exceeds 2,500.

Anobiidae: Ernobius schedli Brown

This fascinating and little known member of the Death Watch Beetles (Anobiidae) was recently found on Brier Island, the first record of the species for the Maritime Provinces.

Ptinus sexpunctatus Panzer: This Palearctic species, which lives in association with bees, has just been discovered in North America.

Artematopodidae: Macropogon piceus LeConte

This fascinating beetle, a member of the Artematopodid beetle family (Artematopodidae), has recently been found for the first time in several locations in Nova Scotia.

Cantharidae: Cantharidae: Malthinae

The genus Malthodes is a group of very small (1.0-4.0 mm.) Soldier Beetles (Cantharidae: Malthinae) which, while abundant is certain habitats, are rather poorly known. Seven species and subspecies are known from Atlantic Canada. This document present descriptions, photographs, and keys to the species to assist researchers in recognizing these little-studied beetles.

Cerambycidae: Grammoptera subargentata

Grammoptera subargentata is a rather are longhorn beetle in Nova Scotia, having only been found three times in widely scattered parts of the province.

Chrysomelidae: Calligrapha Chevrolat

Thirteen species of this complicated and diverse genus have been recorded in Atlantic Canada. Species are highly host specific.

Tricholochmaea sablensis (Brown): Tricholochmaea sablensisis perhaps the only known endemic species of Nova Scotia beetle. There are concerns with respect to its status on the only known place where it is found, Sable Island.

Cleridae of Atlantic Canada

The Checkered Beetles (Cleridae) are a fascinating group of predatory beetles. Sixteen species have been recorded in Atlantic Canada. This document is an illustrated key and guide to the species of this area to assist researchers in recognizing these biologically important predators.

Coccinellidae: Coccidula lepida LeConte

Coccidula lepida is a seldom seen species of lady beetle, occasionally found in New Brunswick.

Nephus ornatus (LeConte): Is another small lady beetle in the subfamily, Scymninae. Little is known about its ecology although a few specimens have been found in sphagnum bogs and fens.

Cryptophagidae: Atomariinae of Atlantic Canada

The genus Atomaria is comprised of a number of poorly known and seldom studied small beetles within the silken fungus beetle family. Five species are known from Atlantic Canada, although the genus is in need of revision.

Dytiscidae: Matus ovatus Leech

This predacious diving beetle, often found in still water with cattails, is recorded from the Atlantic Provinces for the first time.

Elateridae: Megapenthes stigmosus (LeConte)

This very showy click beetle is newly recorded from Nova Scotia although it is previously known from New Brunswick.

Endomychidae: Hadromychus chandleri Bousquet & Leschen

A member of the Endomychidae (the Handsome Fungus Beetles) this species is known from only nine specimens in the world, three of which are from Nova Scotia.

Eucnemidae: Microrhagus triangularis (Say).

This specimen of "false click beetle" has just recently been found. It represents the first record of this species from Atlantic Canada.

Histeridae: Aeletes politus (LeConte)

This tiny (~1.0 mm) hister beetle has recently been found in a number of areas in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Hydraenidae: Hydraena atlantica Perkins

These "minute moss beetles" have specialized glands which increase the efficiency of the respiratory bubble which they carry with them while underwater.

Hydrophilidae: Hydrochus brevitarsis Knish

A member of this very rarely collected species has recently been found in Nova Scotia, the first record of this species from Atlantic Canada.

Leiodidae: Agathidium Panzer, 1797

The genus Agathidium are a fascinating and little known genus in the Leiodidae which are found exclusively in association with various species of slime moulds (Myxomycetes).

Anisotoma Panzer, 1797: The genus Anisotoma are another fascinating genus found exclusively in association with various species of slime moulds (Myxomycetes). Quentin Wheeler has done some very interesting cladistic and evolutionary research on the genus.
Colenis impunctata LeConte: Colenis impunctata LeConte is a rarely encountered species of the Leiodidae, the Round Fungus Beetles, which may live on subterranean fungi.

Lymexylidae: Elateroides lugubris

The Sapwood Timberworm, Elateroides lugubris has a symbiotic association with ambrosia fungi which grow in freshly fallen poplar logs.

Mycetophagidae: Litargus tetraspilotus LeConte

The genus Litargus is one of three in the family Mycetophagidae, the Hairy Fungus Beetles, which are found in Atlantic Canada. Little is known about the bionomics of this genus.

Mycteridae: Lacconotus punctatus Leconte

A specimen of this very little known family, the Palm and Flower Beetles (Mycteridae: Lacconotinae) was recently found in Nova Scotia, the first record for the group in Atlantic Canada.

Ptiliidae: Cylindroselloides dybasi Hall

A member of the Ptiliidae (the Featherwing Beetles) and, at .6 mm in length, the smallest beetle to be found in Atlantic Canada.

Ripiphoridae: Ripiphorus fasciatus (Say)

A member of this fascinating family of parasitic beetles, the Ripiphoridae, was recently found in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the first records in Atlantic Canada.

Scarabeidae: Gnorimella maculosa (Knoch)

This exceedingly showy and beautiful Scarab Beetle (Scarabaeidae: Trichiinae) feeds on decaying wood. It has recently been found in Nova Scotia, the first known population of the species in Atlantic Canada.

Staphylinidae: Leptusa jucunda Klimaszewski & Majka

First discovered in Pt. Pleasant Park in Halifax, NS this Rove Beetle (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) was described in 2004 and named after the Park (from the Latin jucundus meaning pleasant or pleasing).

Gabrius Stephens: The genus Gabrius is a diverse genus of predaceous rove beetles. Five species have been found in Atlantic Canada.
Staphylinidae: Proteininae: The Proteininae are a small and little known subfamily of Rove Beetles (Staphylinidae) found in fungi, under bark, in leaf litter and on decaying vegetation.
Staphylinidae: Scaphidiinae: The Scaphidiinae, the Shining Fungus Beetles, are a fascinating small group of fungus feeding beetles. Although heretofore unreported from the Maritime Provinces, there are seven species found here. A guide to their identification is presented.
Xenodusa reflexa (Walker): This fascinating species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) lives exclusively in association with ants of the genera Camponotus and Formica. It is treated like a member of the ant colony although they devour ant eggs and larvae. It has recently been found in Nova Scotia, the first record of this species (and, indeed of the tribe Myrmedoniini) from Atlantic Canada.

Tetratomidae: Hallomeninae Mulsant, 1856

The Hallomeninae, represented in North America by the single genus Hallomenus, are associated with various species of Polypore fungi. The genus is rather poorly understood and in need of revision.

A list of publications on Atlantic Canada Coleoptera published by Christopher Majka and colleagues. PDF versions of most of the papers are available for download.

Send comments and suggestions to Christopher Majka