Amarochara brevios Assing, 2002

Brunke, Adam J., Klimaszewski, Jan, Dorval, Julie-Anne, Bourdon, Caroline, Paiero, Steven M. & Marshall, Stephen A., 2012, New species and distributional records of Aleocharinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) from Ontario, Canada, with a checklist of recorded species, ZooKeys 186, pp. 119-206 : 124

Amarochara brevios Assing, 2002 New Canadian Record Fig. 10Map 10 genitalia in Assing (2002)

Material examined.

CANADA: ON:Huron Co.,Auburn, hedgerow, pitfall trap, 26.v.2010, A. Brunke, 1 (DEBU), Auburn, soybean field, 23.vi.2010, 1 (DEBU), same data except: 7.vii.2010, 1 (DEBU), 4.viii.2010, 3 (DEBU).

Distribution.

Canada: ON; USA: KS ( Assing 2002). Native.

Comments.

This species is distinguished from other Nearctic Amarochara based on the extremely dense punctation of the abdominal tergites, weak microsculpture of the forebody and shape of the median lobe of the aedeagus in lateral view.

Amarochara brevios was previously known only from the holotype collected in Kansas via flight intercept trap. Here, we report this species from Ontario, Canada based on numerous specimens collected using pitfall and raised pan traps in soybean fields (only 6 specimens kept as vouchers). While Amarochara inquilina (Casey) and Amarochara formicina Assing are associated with mound-building Formica ants, other species of the genus appear to be general inhabitants of decaying litter and only occasionally inhabit ant nests ( Assing 2002). Currently nothing is known about the habitat preferences of other Nearctic Amarochara . Based on recent collections of Amarochara in Canada ( Assing 2007, Webster et al. 2009; this study), species of this genus are poorly collected but widespread across eastern North America and all four Nearctic species are now reported from Canada (see below).