Stethotrypes raffrayi (Thomson)

Matsunaga, Janis N., Howarth, Francis G. & Kumashiro, Bernarr R., 2019, New State Records and Additions to the Alien Terrestrial Arthropod Fauna in the Hawaiian Islands, Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 51 (1), pp. 1-71 : 5-6

Stethotrypes raffrayi (Thomson)

NEW STATE RECORD

Hundreds of tiny dark brown beetles with gold patches were found crawling around wooden nursery benches covered in

algae. Adult beetles, larvae, and pupae crowded under and within potted plants, in corners of nursery benches, and un- der wet rocks and bricks. With the expertise of Dr. Wolfgang Schawaller, an identification was finally determined.

According to Schawaller, Stethotrypes raffrayi is known from Java, Sumatra, and the Philippines. While species in the tribe Leiochrinini are not known to be pests, the high numbers of these beetles not previously known to occur in the U.S. were becoming problematic in some nursery plants exported to the mainland U.S. These tenebrionids are just over 2 mm and resemble coccinellid beetles with their round, dome-like elytra.

Collection records: HAWAII, Panaewa , 31.VIII.2012, coll. C. Hirayama, ex. on wooden nursery benches covered with algae, det. W. Schawaller, 5.II.2018; Hilo, 13.VI.2015, ex. un- der plant pots and bricks in residential yard, coll. B. Azama. Vouchers at HDOA & BPBM .