Distribution.
NOVA SCOTIA: Annapolis Co.: Paradise, 11 June 2005 , K. Webster, spruce beetle trap (1, NSNR); Colchester Co.: Balmoral Mills, 19 June 1974 , B. Wright, grist mill (1, NSMC); Kings Co.: Kentville, 10 August 2005 , D.H. Webster, compost heap, moldy corncobs (1, DHWC).
Notes.
Mycetophagus quadriguttatus Müller is newly recorded in Nova Scotia (Fig. 1). The species was reported from New Brunswick by Bousquet (1991) , however, I have not been able to locate a voucher specimen for this record; it is not present in the CNC nor was it reported from New Brunswick by Campbell et al. (1989) . Pending confirmation its status in New Brunswick should be regarded as provisional. In Nova Scotia, one specimen was collected in a grist mill and another in a compost heap. Campbell et al. (1989) reported the species in waste feed, sacked grain, grain elevators, warehouses, flour mills, old flour barrels, fungi at the base of old hay stacks, fungi on trees, a vegetable store, and a corn shop.
Although Hatch (1962) thought it was probably an introduced species, other investigators ( Parsons 1975 ; Bousquet 1991 ; Downie and Arnett 1996 ) have classified it as a native Holarctic species. Mycetophagus quadriguttatus is widely distributed in Europe having been reported throughout the continent except for Corsica, Crete, Cyprus, Estonia, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, and Sicily ( Nikitsky 2010 ), and is also found across North Africa, in the eastern Palaearctic, Asia, and Australia ( Nikitsky 2010 ).
Distribution.
NEW BRUNSWICK: Madawaska County: Edmundston, 47°22.285'N; 68°14.663'W, 22 August 2010 , R. Migneault, in polypore on dead aspen log (1, RMC). NOVA SCOTIA: Antigonish Co.: Cape George Point, 23 June1993 , M. LeBlanc, funnel trap (1, NSMC); Colchester Co.: Kemptown, 1 June 1995 , 28 June 1995 , C. Corkum, young deciduous forest, FIT (2, NSMC); Upper Bass River, 18 May 1995 , C. Corkum, old deciduous forest, FIT (1, NSMC); Upper Bass River, 3 June 1995 , C. Corkum, old deciduous forest, FIT (1, NSMC); Cumberland Co.: East Leicester, 2 June 1995 , C. Corkum, old deciduous forest, FIT (1, NSMC); East Leicester, 14 June 1995 , C. Corkum, old deciduous forest, FIT (1, NSMC); East Leicester, 15 June 1995 , C. Corkum, old deciduous forest, FIT (1, NSMC); Fox River,17 May 1995 , C. Corkum, young deciduous forest, FIT (1, NSMC); Fox River, 3 June 1995 , C. Corkum, young deciduous forest, FIT (1, NSMC); Harrington River, 13 July 1995 , C. Corkum, young deciduous forest, FIT (1, NSMC); Wentworth, 21 May- 5 July 1965 , B. Wright, sugar maple forest, window trap (1, NSMC); Halifax Co.: Halifax, 1 December 1986 , B. Wright (1, NSMC); Soldier Lake, 30 July 2004 , D. MacDonald, spruce beetle trap (1, NSNR); Lunenburg Co.: Card Lake, 2-15 June, 1997, D.J. Bishop, red spruce/hemlock forest (old growth), FIT (1, NSMC); Yarmouth Co.: Wellington, 23-29 August 1992 , J. & F. Cook, mixed forest (1, JCC).
Notes.
Mycetophagus pluripunctatus LeConte is newly recorded in New Brunswick. The species was reported from Nova Scotia by Bishop et al. (2009) and appears to be distributed throughout much of the mainland of Nova Scotia (Fig. 1). In Nova Scotia, it was collected almost exclusively with flight intercept traps in deciduous forests. Pielou and Pielou (1968) reported it on birch polypore ( Piptoporus betulinus ), Cline and Leshen (2005) recorded it from oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus ostreatus ), and Leschen (1988) recorded it from Spongipellis unicolor (Schw.) growing on a fallen white oak ( Quercus alba L.) in Arkansas. Schwartz (1876) said it was "abundant in fungus" in Michigan.
Mycetophagus is a genus of hairy fungus beetles in the family Mycetophagidae. There are at least 20 described species in Mycetophagus.[1][2][3][4]
ITIS Taxonomic notes:
As discussed by Löbl and Smetana (2011 p21),[5] Hellwig (1792 p408) cited the correct page and number for the genus Lyctus in the second part of Fabricius’ book, demonstrating that he had Fabricius’ book in front of him. As such, Fabricius 1792[6] clearly has priority over Hellwig 1792[7] and should be cited as the author of this genus.
These 27 species belong to the genus Mycetophagus:
Data sources: i = ITIS,[1] c = Catalogue of Life,[2] g = GBIF,[3] b = Bugguide.net[4]
Mycetophagus is a genus of hairy fungus beetles in the family Mycetophagidae. There are at least 20 described species in Mycetophagus.
ITIS Taxonomic notes:
The name Mycetophagus appeared in two or three separate works in 1792, one by Hellwig (in Schneider Neuest Mag. Ent., 1:394), and two by Fabricius (Entomologiae Systematicae, Emendatae et Auctae, Tom. I, Pars II:497; and Determinatio generis Ips affiniumque, Actes de la Société d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris 1:30). Hellwig appears to be the most frequently cited author, so for the moment ITIS will cite Hellwig. Further work would be required to determine earliest available authorship for the genus. There is apparently some confusion about subgenera in Mycetophagus. Parsons (1975:94) notes that "Casey's subgenera are not entirely natural and are used here chiefly for convenience in keying to species." Until further research clarifies this issue, ITIS has opted to omit subgenera in this genus.As discussed by Löbl and Smetana (2011 p21), Hellwig (1792 p408) cited the correct page and number for the genus Lyctus in the second part of Fabricius’ book, demonstrating that he had Fabricius’ book in front of him. As such, Fabricius 1792 clearly has priority over Hellwig 1792 and should be cited as the author of this genus.