Ohio Beetles Bulletin Occasional Publication of the Ohio Coleopterists Edited By: Ken Karns Species@columbus.rr.com Issue Number: 8 April 2011 Lycidae: Dictyopterus aurora (Herbst) The Ohio Beetles Bulletin (OBB) was developed to provide the Ohio Coleopterists membership a means of communication in conjunction with the Ohio Coleopterists Newsletter. It is hoped the OBB will provide an informative and enjoyable means of sharing information on the fascinating world of Beetles. “When we have experienced the atavistic joy of collecting in the open air and the manipulative pleasure of setting and mounting our chosen beetles there follows the refined intellectual delight of naming them with precision”. Quote by G.B. Walsh taken from the first edition of the Coleopterists Handbook. W.J.B. Crotch, General Editor London, December 1953. Cover Photo: Dictyopterus aurora (Herbst) Specimen collected by Ken Karns 09-19 April-2011 , Vinton County, OHIO (7.0 mm) How To Have a Really Good U In the Middle of the Woods! Any good Coleopterist should immediately recognize this terminology and lovingly embrace the sound concept despite flash-back images of complicated cabling, stakes, guy wires, and the like. The “FIT” I am referring to is a Flight Intercept Trap. FIT by my definition, is any trap which interrupts the flight of an insect, or in our case beetles, and directs them into a collection container. There is no bait or attractant used and the trap can remain in position for an entire collecting season. This trap is reported to be very effective and suitably located can trap a wide range of beetles not normally encountered or commonly collected by other means (Cooter & Barclay 2006). I researched this type of trap and located a company in England, B&S Entomological Services, that supplied the net material with sewn in loops for a very reasonable cost. The net came in two sizes and I purchased the larger size at 2.4m x 1m. Additional supplies to set-up the trap were purchased locally and consisted of two (2) wood poles, treated limber base to set the collection pans level, collection pans, stakes, rope, four (4) hose clamps, four (4) large cup hooks, and four (4) large paper binder clamps rounded out the needed materials. This type of trap is not well suited for public areas as it is quite obvious when set and is a likely target of vandalism. Our cabin property in Vinton County offered a perfect setting to set-up the traps. I decided to set-up three (3) traps; one at the bottom of a ravine adjacent to a small creek, another on a level “bench” half way up the hollow, and the other at the top of the highest point on the property. The traps went up remarkably easy with the key being to get the net stretched tight throughout (figure 1 . below). The pans were filled about 1/4 full with propylene glycol with a drop or two of dishwashing liquid added to break the surface tension. Note the use of the non-toxic propylene glycol as opposed to ethylene glycol which should be avoided at all cost. One trap, at mid-level, was set 09-April-2011 and was checked the following week 16-April. I did not expect much as the weather that week was less than ideal for in-flight coleoptera! Upon checking, I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity and number of species collected in such a short time and during unfavorable flight weather. Once sorted and determinations made, it was evident that the FIT had captured some very unusual species with a few that I had not encountered before! One capture that stands out was two specimens of the Lycidae, Dictyopterus aurora (Herbst) (see cover photo). This is the first time I have seen this nice little Lycid and it is quite distinctive being a bright orange-red. I set the other two traps on the 16th and have a good feeling this year will see many interesting specimens added to the collection by use of the FIT. The following is a list of notable species collected in just one week with one trap! Figure 1 : Flight Intercept Trap (FIT) set and ready for action! Having a “FIT” in the Woods (cont.) Notable Species Taken 09-1 6 April, 2011 Ken Karns Cabin Property Vinton County, Ohio: Family: Trogidae Trox Sordid us LeConte: Family: Staphylinidae Tachinus minimus Campbell: Family: Melandryidae Hypulus simulator Newman Family: Leiodidae Anisotoma basalis (LeConte) Family: Histeridae Margarinotus lecontei Wenzel Family: Hydraenidae Three specimens of this seldom encountered Trox species was collected. I have only collected this species twice before and in both instances they came to an old deer carcass in April. The early flight and activity period of this species may account for it being uncommon in collections. A short series of this small (2. 5-3. 5 mm) Staph was collected and this is the first collection of this species I have made. Campbell 1973, revised the genus and added T. minimus as a new species in that treatment. As with all Tachinus, the eighth abdominal tergite and sternite, of both sexes, are highly diagnostic. A single specimen of this seldom collected and very distinctive beetle was found in the trap sample (see photo below) A single specimen was collected. This is the first collection of this colorful species I have seen. The basal portion of the elytra on this otherwise dark beetle is red. A short series of both M. lecontei and a yet undetermined species of Margarinotus was collected. Several specimens of the genus Hydraena were collected. In addition, there were numerous other specimens from many families yet to be sorted and determined. The FIT has proven its worth early on as another example of the need to utilize as many varied collecting techniques as possible to accurately sample any given geographical area. Riley watching and wondering... as I have a “FIT” in the woods! Melandryidae: Hypulus simulator Newman Flight Intercept Trap 09-16 April 2011. Vinton County, Ohio. (Specimen 5.5 mm) Ken Karns Collection and Photo The Ohio Coleopterists May 20-22, 2011 Field Trip Shawnee State Park and Forest The OC will be descending upon Shawnee State Park and Forest for a camping and collecting trip May 20-22, 2011 . Shawnee is situated in the SW corner of Scioto County. I for one have never been to, but have always wanted to collect at Shawnee. This is George Keeney’s stomping grounds so he will act as our guide to the area.. .right George? Bad weather and/or poor collecting can be attributed directly to George! I have reserved campsite number 107 for both Friday and Saturday nights with reservations for 6 people and my pal Riley. Cathy and I will be arriving at the site no later than 5:00 pm on Friday and more likely around 3:00 pm. I will set-up my pop-up camper as the base camp which sleeps 5-6. A couple of tents can also be set-up on site. Go to Shawnee State Park on Goggle and pull up a site map of the campground. I tried to get the most remote site that was available at the time I registered. Site 107 looked as good as it gets without actually visiting the site in person. Google Earth gives you some idea of the location as well. We can discuss collecting strategy Friday night over a cold beer or Saturday morning over a cold bee I mean over a hot cup of coffee, for those that can’t make it Friday. There is no electric at site 107 but I will have my portable generator and the camper has propane for cooking and of course the campfire thing... Please RSVP to Ken Karns if you plan to attend. Sounds like a blast to me.. Date: Time: Place: Directions: Lodging: Friday, May 20th to Sunday, May 22nd. We will arrive and set-up no later than 5:00 pm Friday Shawnee State Park. Campsite Number 107 under the name Ken Karns Google “Shawnee State Park” there are directions and maps on the site. I will have my pop-up camper on site and there is room for a couple of tents. Contact: Ken Karns species@columbus.rr.com Cell: 740-215-4305 Home: 740-653-7510