Quedius (Raphirus) frigidus Smetana, 1971**

Webster, Reginald P., Smetana, Ales, Sweeney, Jon D. & DeMerchant, Ian, 2012, New Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) records with new collection data from New Brunswick and an addition to the fauna of Quebec: Staphylininae, ZooKeys 186, pp. 293-348 : 311

Quedius (Raphirus) frigidus Smetana, 1971** Map 24

Material examined.

New Brunswick, Restigouche Co., Berry Brook P.N.A., 47.8140°N, 66.7578°W, 26.V.2007, R. P. Webster, old-growth eastern white cedar forest in moss and leaf litter near brook (4 ♂, 4 ♀, NBM, RWC); MacFarlane Brook P.N.A., 47.6018°N, 67.6263°W, 25.V.2007, R. P. Webster, old growth eastern white cedar forest in moss near brook (4 ♂, NBM, RWC); Mount Atkinson, 447 m elev., 47.8192°N, 68.2618°W, 23.VI.2010, R. P. Webster, spruce and balsam fir forest (boreal forest), small, shaded, spring-fed brook with mossy margin, in wet moss (1 ♂, RWC).

Collection and habitat data.

Relatively little was previously known about the habitat requirements of this species, although it appears that this species may be associated with moss and leaf litter near small streams and other wetlands. Smetana (1973, 1976) reported the species from leaf litter in a sphagnum bog, wet sphagnum (treading) along the margin of a large spring, and in leaf litter (sifting) along a small stream. In the Alberta Foothills forests, Quedius frigidus was considered to be a mature forest specialist ( Pohl et al. 2007). Adults at the three New Brunswick localities were found in moss and leaf litter near brooks in old-growth eastern white cedar forests and a mature spruce and balsam fir forest on the north-facing slope of a hill. Adults were collected during May and June.

Distribution in Canada and Alaska.

AK, NT, ON, NB, NF ( Smetana 1973, 1976, 1978, 1981). Smetana (1971a, 1973) suggested that Quedius frigidus was a northern transcontinental species with glacial relic populations in southern areas at higher mountain elevations. The New Brunswick records indicate a more southerly distribution at low elevations in eastern Canada.

Figures

Map 24. Collection localities in New Brunswick, Canada of Quedius frigidus.