Ataenius inquisitus Horn 1887

Ataenius inquisitus Horn, 1887:81.—Schmidt, 1922:424.—Fall, 1930:97.—Cartwright, 1948:149

DESCRIPTION.—Length 3.9 to 4.9 mm; width 1.7 to 2.0 mm. Oblong, moderately convex, shining, dark red-brown to piceous, anterior of head and legs reddish, antennae testaceous. Head moderately convex, clypeus broadly rounded each side of wide, shallow, median emargination, sides weakly arcuate to sharply rounded genae, the genae a trifle more than right-angled, edge very finely reflexed; surface transversely wrinkled anteriorly, usually over the greatest convexity, very finely, closely punctate above the wrinkles, punctures generally separated by about twice their diameters. Pronotum moderately convex, averaging about 1.8 mm wide by 1.1 mm long, all angles obtusely rounded, sides weakly arcuate, sides and base strongly margined, fimbriate-crenate, the setae short to minute, longest at anterior angles, basally minute, crenations distinct around posterior angles and base; surface punctures mixed, very fine everywhere, larger punctures scattered over anterior disc where they may be fine to very moderate, outward to sides and base gradually closer and much coarser, practically contiguous in the anterior and posterior angles. Elytra convex, averaging about 2.8 mm long by 1.9 mm wide, humeri moderately dentate, striae moderately deep, strial punctures crenating inner margin of weakly convex intervals, intervals with a row of minute punctures along each side, intervals a little more convex and striae wider over apical declivity. Mesosternum shagreened with fine alutaceous sculpture and fine, short, appressed hair, very weakly carinate between the coxae. Metasternum shining, midline strong and deep, disc smooth but with minute, scattered punctures, bordered posteriorly by a row of close coarse punctures which turns outward to sides behind the middle coxae, becoming two or three punctures wide near side where they merge with very shallow punctures and rough alutaceous sculpture, metasternal triangle smooth, not deep or well defined. Abdominal sterna closely, coarsely punctate from side to side, a little finer at middle and on 5th sternum, fluted along anterior margins. Pygidium with shining apical lip, disc roughly eroded. Anterior femora with perimarginal groove, surface smooth in front, posteriorly with well-separated, moderate, elongate punctures. Middle and hind femora smooth, shining, minutely punctate, one or two finely setigerous, coarse punctures at knee, strong posterior marginal line half length of femur inward from knee, middle femora have also a few coarse punctures along anterior margin at knee. Posterior tibiae with fringe of five setae in a group, strong accessory spine close to spurs without an intervening seta. First posterior tarsal segment longer than the long spur, longer than following three segments combined. Males have the terminal segment and the pygidium relatively longer than in the female.

HOLOTYPE.—No. 3612, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Horn Collection.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—“Southwestern Texas.”

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—22+.

DATES COLLECTED.—April 26 to November 15.

DISTRIBUTION (Figure 20).—Arizona: Paradise. Wisconsin: “Wisconsin.” Texas: Alpine, Austin, Big Bend National Park, Brownsville, Chisos Mts., Columbus, Cypress Mills, Dallas, Davis Mts., Devils River, Enchanted Rock, Handly, Houston, Juniper Canyon, Limpia Canyon (Fort Davis), Menard, Nueces River (Zavalla County), San Diego.

Ataenius inquisitus is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in North America.