ENTOBLITZ Coleoptera

By William Godwin
Texas A&M Department of Entomology

Beetles of the family Pyrochroidae (fire beetles) were one of the more immediately remarkable catches. These specimens are likely to be the first of their family collected in Texas. They are more typical of the Ozarks region. The larvae are typically predators living under bark. Perhaps their presence and abundance is tied to old growth forest. They were collected at light.

Pyrochroidae Pyrochroid larva
Pyrochroidae: (left) Adults of Neopyrochroa spp. Dendroides spp. (right) unidentified pyrochroid larva under bark.

Lucanidae
Beetle collectors were excited to find Lucanus placidus (Say) at their lights on the Sparta Sand outcrop.
This beetle is indicative of the deep sand.


Beetles attracted to dung baited pitfalls

Deltochilum
Deltochilum gibbosum (Fabricius)
Canthon
Canthon imitator Brown
Ateuchus
Ateuchus histeroides (Weber)
Geotrupes
Geotrupes splendens (Fabricius)
Phanaeus
Phanaeus difformis LeConte
Omorgus
Omorgus spp.
Onthophagus
Onthophagus medorensis Brown


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Godwin Woods Little Sandy NWR Sparta Sand Outcrop