Ataenius texanus Harold 1874

Ataenius texanus Harold

Ataenius texanus Harold, 1874a:23.—Horn, 1875:142; 1887:71.

Ataenius abditus texanus.—Schmidt, 1922:450.

DESCRIPTION.—Length 3.2 to 4.0 mm; width 1.4 to 1.5 mm. Elongate, parallel, moderately convex, shining, black, legs and clypeal margin reddish. Head moderately convex, clypeal margin very finely reflexed, with a small, sharp, triangular tooth each side of a wide, median, moderately deep, angulate emargination, sides weakly arcuate to nearly right-angled genae; surface of clypeus concave behind median emargination; transversely wrinkled to middle of greatest convexity, basal half of clypeus smooth and practically impunctate, front closely, gradually, very finely to very moderately punctate from clypeus to occiput, the punctures dense, separated by less than half their diameters. Pronotum 1.4 mm wide and 1.0 mm long, angles all obtusely rounded, the posterior angles less rounded than in A. hesperius, new species, the weakly arcuate sides and base margined, the edge inconspicuously, minutely fimbriate-crenate under high magnification; surface everywhere evenly, densely, moderately punctate, the punctures over the anterior one-third of the disc noticeably finer. Elytra about 2.3 mm long and 1.4 mm wide, humeri moderately dentate, sides straight, parallel, striae fine, moderately deep, strial punctures crenating inner sides of the very weakly convex, minutely alutaceous intervals, a row of close, minute punctures along outer margin of the intervals, 9th and 10th intervals slightly more convex and slightly roughly punctate. Mesosternum shagreened with fine, alutaceous sculpture and very fine, short, decumbent hair; broadly, triangularly carinate between the coxae. Metasternum shining, midline strong and deep, disc closely, moderately punctate anteriorly, gradually slightly finer posteriorly, finely, scabrously roughened outward to sides, metasternal triangle deep, large, well-defined, roughened within. First visible abdominal sternum margined, the next three sterna finely fluted along anterior margin, the fluting gradually wider on successive segments, the 5th sternum separated away by a deep suture almost equally wide from side to side, not wider at middle, the anterior edge of the sternum roughly broken by coarse punctures which go down over the edge; all sterna with very moderate, rather shallow punctures from side to side, generally separated by about their diameters. Fourth sternum two-thirds as long as the preceding segment. Pygidium with disc roughly, not deeply eroded. Anterior femora with perimarginal groove, surface smooth anteriorly, moderately punctate posteriorly, a little closer along posterior edge where the punctures are separated by less than their diameters. Middle and hind femora with minute-to-fine, scattered punctures over disc; posterior marginal line of middle femur distinct over outer one-third, broken and indistinct over inner two-thirds; marginal line of posterior femora very short at knee. Apical fringe of posterior tibiae of eight setae longer at each end, without accessory spine. First posterior tarsal segment equal in length to long spur and to following three segments combined.

Female similar in every way to the male except that the three middle abdominal sterna are about equal in length, the pygidium is much shorter, with the apical half finely, densely punctate and the eroded area reduced to a basal marginal line.

NEOTYPE (present designation).—USNM 72185.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cypress Mills, Texas.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—213.

DATES COLLECTED.—April 1 to August 17.

DISTRIBUTION (Figure 16).—Kansas: Topeka. Oklahoma: Payne County. Texas: Austin, Columbus, Cypress Mills, Dallas, Del Rio, Devils River, Enchanted Rock, Houston, Kerrville, La Grange, Menard, New Braunfels, Nueces River (Zavalla County), Sabinal, San Antonio, Uvalde County, Victoria.

Ataenius punctifrons

DESCRIPTION.—Holotype Male: Length 3.6 mm; width 1.5 mm. Elongate, parallel, dark reddish brown, legs and clypeal margin slightly lighter in color. Head moderately convex, clypeal margin finely, sharply dentate each side of slightly angulate, moderate median emargination, lateral margin weakly arcuate, finely reflexed, genae distinct, obtusely rounded; clypeal surface transversely rugose below median convexity which is very finely punctate, punctures of upper clypeus and to sides gradually very slightly larger, gradually still larger and closer over front, becoming contiguous and moderate in size. Pronotum convex, the arcuate lateral margins hidden when viewed from directly above, width 1.4 mm and length 1.0 mm, anterior angles obtusely rounded, posterior angles very broadly rounded, sides and base finely margined, marginal setae minute and barely visible, surface very uniformly densely moderately punctate, narrowly, gradually, finely punctate along anterior margin, finer than frontal punctures. Elytra convex with lateral margins slightly arcuate, length 2.3 mm and width 1.5 mm, humeri finely dentate, elytral striae moderately deep, fine punctures crenating inner side of moderately convex intervals, a row of close minute punctures along outside edge of intervals, shoulders closely finely punctate, lateral intervals slightly more convex. Mesosternum finely shagreened, rather broadly carinate between coxae. Metasternum shining, midline long and deep, moderately, not very closely punctate anteriorly and outward to sides, punctures gradually finer posteriorly, finely scabrous at extreme sides, metasternal triangle moderately deep with a small eroded pit at anterior angle. Abdominal sterna shining, moderate punctures from side to side separated by one to two or more times their diameter, first visible sternum with marginal line, remaining sterna fluted along posterior margin, the fluting of terminal sternum about one-third length of the preceding sternum, which is shorter at middle than at sides. Pygidium smooth apically, upper two-thirds eroded. Anterior tibia with perimarginal groove, smooth anteriorly, scattered, fine punctures along posterior margin. Middle and posterior femora shining, smooth, barely a trace of posterior marginal line at knee; seven setae in terminal tibial fringe, without accessory spine; first tarsal segment equal to following three segments together, and slightly shorter than long spur.

Allotype Female: Length 3.8 mm; width 1.5 mm. Penultimate sternum not noticeably shortened at middle, pygidium wider and not as long as in male.

HOLOTYPE.—USNM 71749.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Minneapolis, Minnesota, 22 May 1875, R. J. Mendenhall.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—306.

DATES COLLECTED.—January 27 to October 10.

DISTRIBUTION (Figure 10).—Paratypes. Arizona (18): Douglas (1), 15 July 1969, J. H. Russell. Harshaw (1), 29 July 1941, F. H. Parker. Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains (1), 27 August 1952, B. Malkin. Patagonia (15): 5, 10 July 1936, M. Cazier (13); 21 August 1940, F. W. Nunenmacker (1); 15 July 1955, F. G. Werner and G. D. Butler (1). Arkansas (6): Devils Den State Park (1), 1966, R. W. Hodges. Hope (1), 30 July 1926, L. Knoble (M. Robinson Coll., USNM). Jackson County (1), 1 September 1960, Tuckerman. Pine Bluff (1), 10 October, H. Soltau Coll. (USNM). Washington County (1), 6 April 1938. West Memphis (1), 5 August 1946, O. L. Cartwright. California (4): Covina (1), 21 July 1934 (M. Robinson Coll., USNM). Napa (2), no date (M. Robinson Coll., USNM). Pasadena (1), 4 April, Dr. A. Fenyes. Colorado (8): Canon City (2), 14 April, H. Soltau Coll. (1, USNM); no date, Wickham (1, Horn Duplicate No. 302–1891). Logan County (2), 1923, Sandhouse Coll. Rocky Ford (3), under squash vine, 12 July 1910, McMillan. Stirling (1), no date, Sandhouse (M. Robinson Coll., USNM). Illinois (10): Cartersville, Williamson County (1), 15 May 1957, V. Cole. Chicago (5): 26 May 1912 (3, W. Robinson Coll., USNM); bred from onion (1), 1 July 1911; on onion (1), 29 June 1916. Havana (1), 18 August 1907, J. D. Hood. “N. Illinois” (1), no date, Charles W. Leng. Pittsfield, Pike County (2), 15 August 1946, A. T. McClay. Indiana (1): Hovey (1), 3 June 1964, Charles E. White. Hovey Lake (6), blacklight, 24 June, 9 July, 1965, Charles White. Porter County (2), lakedrift of Lake Michigan, H. Dybas. Tremont (2), 20 May 1934, H. Dybas. Iowa (20): Ames (9): 12 May 1947, R. L. Collins (1); 26 April 1948, W. H. Tate (2); 20 May 1934, G. L. McNew (1); 30 April 1934, H. K. Chen (1); 18 April 1934, Don E. Ellis (1); May 1943, L. Dalencour (1); 26 May 1948, R. E. Cleary (1); 14 May 1950, A. R. Garlin (1). Cedar Rapids (2), 4 May, Wickham. “County #12” (1), 5 July 1934, W. E. Dodds. Elma (2): 16 May, George M. Green (1); 16 May 1902, no other data (1). Iowa City (5): 12 May 1895 (1, Wickham Coll. USNM); 24–25 May 1916, L. L. Buchanan (2); 25 May, Wickham (1); 27 January 1895 (1, Wickham Coll., USNM). Lake Okaboji (1), 24 July 1917, L. L. Buchanan. Kansas (21): Douglas County (3): April, E. S. Tucker (1); 21 May 1921, 5 May 1923, W. J. Brown (2). Gardiner Lake, Johnson County (1), 3 May 1952, Bell and Spangler. Lawrence (5): 21 July 1930, M. W. Sanderson (1); no date, H. Soltau (2); electric light, W. J. Brown (2). Mount Hope (2), 20 June (Wickham Coll., USNM). Muncie (1), 9 July 1926, George M. Green. Ottawa (1), 15 July 1923, W. J. Brown. Topeka (7): 23 July, C. V. Riley (1, USNM); 1 June, 19 July, Popenoe (4); 7, 8 July, no other data (2). Walthena (1), no date, W. M. Mann. Louisiana (8): Alexandria (6): in dry corn stalks, 26, 27 February 1909, Hunter Coll. (4); corn field, 5 April 1911, G. D. Smith (2). Houma (1), 1958, S. D. Hensley. Shreveport (1), 3 July 1891, F. W. Mally. Michigan (5): Detroit, no date, Hubbard and Schwarz (3); August, Hubbard and Schwarz (2). Minnesota (19): Buffalo (5), 30 July, 5, 10 August, 6 September 1947, S. I. Parfin. Faribault (2), at light, 14 June 1934, A. A. Granovsky. Minneapolis (8, includes allotype), 12 May 1875, R. J. Mendenhall. St. Paul (4), at light, 1 May 1934, A. A. Granovsky. Missouri (9): “Mo.” (1), no date, T. Pergande. Black Jack (1), on Helianthus tuberosa, 30 October 1930, Satterthwate. Charleston (1), trap light, 18 April 1917, Satterthwate. Parkville (1), 25 May 1947, J. H. Laffoon. St. Louis, (1), George M. Green. Webster Groves (4), 16 August 1928, 12 July 1930, Satterthwate. Nebraska (3): Ainsworth, 2 mi S Brown County (1), 5 July 1946, R. G. Schmidt. West Point (2), 16 May, May 1888. New Hampshire (1): “N. H.,” no date, Roland Hayward. New Jersey (8): Hillsdale, 4 July 1919, Shoemaker. New Mexico (2): Artesia (1), 29 July 1937, D. J. and J. N. Knull (M. Robinson Coll., USNM). Bernalillo (1), 15 July 1923, F. Psota. North Dakota (3): Cavalier County (1), 7 July 1916, Larry Kotchman. Slope County (2), black light, 30 June 1966, Robert Gordon. Ohio (1): “Ohio,” no other data. Oklahoma (11): Lake Texhoma, Marshall (1), 16 June 1968, W. Suter. Hinton (1), 26 July 1966, W. Rosenberg. Okmulgee (1), at light, 24 June, J. D. Mitchell. Payne County (7), 3, 13 May 1924, 7 April 1925, 21 August 1926, W. J. Brown. South McAllister (1), 11 June, Wickham. South Dakota (14): Brookings (7): 8 July 1943, H. C. Severin (1, Cartwright Coll., USNM); 21 June, 7, 8, July 1943, 15 June 1944, 23 July 1948, H. C. Severin (6). Chamberlain (2), 13 June 1940, H. C. Severin. Elk Point (1), 17 June 1946, H. C. Severin. Highmore (4), light trap, 22 June, 1, 8, 16 July 1944, H. C. Severin. Tennessee (36): Reelfoot Lake, 10 June 1946, O. L. Cartwright. Texas (51); “Texas,” no other data (3). Austin (1), 29 June, H. Soltau Coll. (USNM). Big Bend National Park (21): Brewster County (1), 28 August 1937, Rollin H. Baker; Boquillas (13), 1850 ft, 17, 23 May 1959, Howden and Becker; Glen Springs (1), 5 mi N, 3000 ft, 24 May 1959, Howden and Becker; Santa Elena (6), 2200 ft, 4, 21 May 1959, Howden and Becker. Brownsville (5): 3 May 1904, H. S. Barber (1); 24 April 1908, McMillan (4), Brownwood (4), 5 October 1905, W. D. Pierce. College Station (1), 22 April 1930, H. J. Reinhard. Columbus (3), 9 July, 17 August, Hubbard and Schwarz. Cypress Mills (1), no date, Hubbard and Schwarz. Dallas (1, Wickham Coll. USNM). Devils River (1), 4 May 1907, E. A. Schwarz. Enchanted Rock, Llamo County (1), light trap, 18 April 1959, H. F. Howden. Fort Davis (3), at light, 10, 31 May 1959, Howden and Becker. Grayson County, Jupiter Point, Lake Texhoma, 12 mi N of Whitesboro (1), 16 April 1968, W. Suter. Kerrville (2): 1 April 1959, Becker and Howden (1), at light, 30 May 1906, F. C. Pratt (1). Lajitas, SW Brewster County (1); 19 May 1959, Howden and Becker. Sabinal (2): April 1910, Pierce and Pratt (1); June 1910, no other data (1). Wisconsin (36): Dane County (1), 12 April 1897. Griffith State Nursery, Wood County (29), 20, 22 May, 10, 14, 26 June, 6 July 1948, 4 May, 2, 12 June 1949, R. D. Shenefelt. Nekoosa, Wood County (5), 25, 28 August 1948, 28 July, 10 August 1949, R. D. Shenefelt. Port Edwards, Wood County (1), 6 August 1949, R. D. Shenefelt. Mexico (3): Coahuila: Boquillas del Carmen, 1850 ft, 29 May 1959, Howden and Becker.

Ataenius texanus is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, and North America. It is closely related to Ataenius hesperius. which tends to live farther West.