Carpophiline-ID: an interactive matrix-based key to the carpophiline sap beetles (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) of Eastern North America

Carpophiline-ID is presented, a matrix-based LucidTM key, for the adult stage of the known species of Carpophilinae (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) of North America, east of the Mississippi River. An overview of the features and technical specifications used to build the key is provided. The list of terminal taxa used in the key represents the most current regional account for Carpophilinae, a beetle subfamily of agricultural and ecological importance. The value of matrix-based, free access keys for the identification of difficult taxa is discussed.

The first record of Omosita nearctica Kirejtshuk (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) in South Africa, with the first description of its mature larva

Sap beetles of the genus Omosita Erichson are stored-product pests that are also associated with carrion, potentially making them biosecurity risks and forensic tools. The discovery of a specimen of the Nearctic species Omosita nearctica Kirejtshuk in South Africa prompted an investigation a decade later to determine if this species had established itself in the country, which was confirmed by the collection of further breeding specimens that also facilitated the first description of mature larvae of O. nearctica. A new key to adults of all Omosita species is presented.

New species in the sap beetle genus Soronia Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Nitidulinae) from China

Three new species of sap beetles in the genus Soronia Erichson (S. expansa sp. nov., S. magnipunctura sp. nov. and S. xiangxiyuanica sp. nov.) are described and photographed. Two newly recorded species from China, S. gratiosa Kirejtshuk, 1988 and S. grisea (Linnaeus, 1758), are photographed and this new range extension is documented. A key to species of the genus Soronia in China is provided.

Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in Oak Forests of Two Northeastern States: A Comparison of Trapping Methods and Monitoring for Phoretic Fungi

Oak wilt is slowly expanding in the northeastern United States. Several nitidulid beetle species are known vectors of the fungus [Bretziella fagacearum (Bretz) Z. W. De Beer, Marinc., T. A. Duong, and M. J. Wingf (Microascales: Ceratocystidaceae)] that causes this disease, acquiring spores from fungal mats on infected trees and transmitting them to uninfected trees. Survey and fungal isolation from captured nitidulid beetles could be an important tool for detecting the presence of this disease in a geographic area not previously known to have oak wilt. In preparation for monitoring activities in such areas, two trapping studies were conducted in the northeastern United States: 1) trap test comparing the efficacy of wind-oriented pipe, multiple-funnel, and modified pitfall traps for nitidulids and 2) wet and dry collection cup comparison. Lures were a combination of nitidulid pheromones and fermenting liquid. Results support the use of multiple-funnel traps over the other two trap types, for both targeted species-specific surveys and community sampling. More total nitidulids, Colopterus truncatus (Randall), and Glischrochilus fasciatus (Olivier) were captured in wet collection cups compared with dry cups. Twenty-seven fungal species were isolated, none of which were B. fagacearum. Many fungi isolated from beetles were plant pathogens, indicating that in addition to the oak wilt fungus, sap beetles may contribute to the spread of other plant diseases.

Species composition of beetles (Coleoptera) on the fields of spring rape in Belarus

It was identified the species composition of beetles (Coleoptera) on the fields of spring rape was revealed in different months of the summer periods of 2016 and 2017. A conclusion is made about the dependence of the species diversity of coleopterans on the collection time of the samples. In 2016 and 2017 years on the experimental fields, representatives of 9 families of Coleoptera were found: sap beetles (Nitidulidae), ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae), antlike flower beetles (Anthicidae), minute scavenger beetles (Latridiidae), silken fungus beetles (Cryptophagidae), soldier beetles (Cantharidae), burying beetles (Silphidae), clown beetles (Histeridae) and click beetles (Elateridae). A total of them were 27 species of beetles.