The genus Cybister Curtis (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in the Nearctic region is reviewed including taxonomic history, keys to species, diagnoses, illustrations, distributions, and natural history. Three species are recognized in the genus. Cybister explanatus LeConte, 1852 (= Cybister explanatus laevicollis Zimmermann, 1919; = Cybister explanatus fusculus Zimmermann, 1919) is found from southern Oregon through California and Nevada and through western Mexico to Chiapas. Cybister occidentalis Aubé, 1838 is found in Cuba, the Bahamas, and extreme southern Florida. Cybister fimbriolatus (Say, 1823) (= Cybister dissimilis Aubé, 1838; = Cybister flavocinctus Aubé, 1838 new synonymy; = Cybister ellipticus LeConte, 1852 new synonymy; = Cybister cavicollis Sharp, 1887 new synonymy; = Cybister crotchi Wilke, 1920) is found from southeastern Canada west to Ontario and North Dakota south through eastern North America to Florida and the Bahamas (Bahimi Island), west through the southern United States to Arizona and southern California and south throughout Mexico to the Yucatán. Lectotypes are designated for C. ellipticus and C. explanatus.

The tiger beetle Brasiella argentata pallipes (Fleutiaux and Sallé, 1889) is recorded from the West Indian islands of Barbados and St. Lucia, new country records. Observations on habitat and behavior are also detailed.

Sixteen dead Ferocactus wislizeni (Engelm.) Britton & Rose (Cactaceae), known variously as fishhook barrel cactus, candy barrel cactus, or compass plant, were discovered in various states of decay near Portal, Arizona during July 2011. A survey of the Coleoptera in the rotting cacti resulted in the collection of 976 specimens representing 11 families and 35 species. Volume of cactus was significantly positively correlated with moisture content and moisture content was significantly positively correlated with species richness and abundance. Findings indicated that there may be three distinct successional stages—wet (saturated), moist, and dry—during cactus late decomposition. A review of literature listing species collected from decaying cacti and succulents is provided with updated nomenclature. Photographs and basic biological information are provided for 20 taxa of interest and relevant literature containing descriptions, keys, distributional data, and biological/life history data is reviewed.

The genus Desicasta Thomson, 1878 is comprehensively reviewed, and the formerly eight species are reduced to three. Redescriptions of previously known species, a key for identification, and illustrations of the three species are provided. Desicasta sculptilis Thomson, 1878, Moscheuma sebosum Neervoort van de Poll, 1886, and Moscheuma opaca Kraatz, 1898 are placed as new junior synonyms of Desicasta lobata (Olivier, 1789). Desicasta laevicostata (Neervoort van de Poll, 1886) is a new junior synonym of Desicasta reichei (Thomson, 1860). Desicasta nonfriedi Schoch, 1896 is a new junior synonym of Amithao erythropus (Burmeister, 1842).

Chalcophora angulicollis (LeConte) and Chalcophora virginiensis (Drury) are shown to be valid allopatric species in the western and eastern forests of North America, respectively. The historic uncertainty regarding their status is reviewed, and new characters of the aedeagus, penultimate maxillary palpomere, and elytral serrations are utilized for their identification. This information is combined with redescriptions, diagnoses, illustrations, and a key for all species of Chalcophora Dejean in North America north of Mexico.

A modified pitfall trap study was carried out in winter wheat growing in Straszewo village (54°10′N, 17°21′E), Poland. The objective of this study was to compare the functional effectiveness of traditional pitfall traps with those that have a plastic funnel. Ten traps of each kind were used. Specimens were collected from May to July 2006. Cumulatively, 1,866 specimens belonging to 38 ground beetle species (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were trapped. In traditional pitfall traps, 31 species and 1,115 specimens were captured, whereas in modified traps 33 species and 751 specimens were collected. The average catch efficiency of traditional traps (1.5±0.7 specimens per trap per 24 hours) was significantly higher compared to that of modified traps (1.0±0.3 specimens per trap per 24 hours). Considering the habitat and trophic and hygro-preference aspects, the collection of particular groups of specimens, both quantitatively and qualitatively, was similar for both trap variants. The average body size of ground beetles and mean individual biomass values (63.5 mg for beetles in traditional traps compared to 57.6 mg for beetles in modified traps) were not significantly different. However, significant differences were detected for total biomass (7,100 mg in traditional traps versus 4,300 mg in modified traps). Nineteen lizards (Lacerta sp.) were caught in the open traps throughout the study period, while only five specimens were taken in the funneled traps.

A guild of Neotropical rainforest dung- and carrion-feeding beetles (Scarabaeinae, Aphodiinae, Trogidae) at Reserva Florestal Ducke in Amazonian Brazil was inventoried using baited pitfall traps continuously for 56 weeks during September 1977 to October 1978. The 20 traps were baited with either dung or carrion, and the preservatives in the traps were solutions of either chloral hydrate or picric acid so that all combinations of bait and preservatives were present. A total of 19,416 specimens, 66 species, 20 genera, two subfamilies of Scarabaeidae (Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae), and two families (Scarabaeidae and Trogidae) were collected during the 56-week study. The by-catch of approximately 300,000 other insects was retained at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) for further studies. In the dung traps, 14,413 specimens were collected (74% of all scarabaeoids collected). In the carrion traps, 5,003 specimens were collected (26% of all scarabaeoids collected). The mean number of individuals collected per week in all traps was 345.7 ± 14.6 (SEM) with a range of 144 specimens on 11 October 1978 to 649 specimens on 19 September 1978. The mean number of species taken per week for all traps was 33.0 ± 0.9 (SEM) with a peak catch of 47 species in week 19 (17 January) and a minimum of 18 species in week 51 (29 August). All 66 species were taken in the dung traps, but only 34 species were taken in the carrion traps. Differences between the number of individuals and species captured in the chloral hydrate and picric acid solutions were negligible and demonstrate no real advantage of either one except for easier availability and safety of the chloral hydrate solution. Regression analyses indicated no correlation of precipitation with numbers of individuals or numbers of species taken weekly in the traps. If the “rare” species (singletons and “tourists” comprising less than 0.005% of the total catch in each bait group) are eliminated from the analysis, then the dung traps took 10 weeks to acquire the 17 “common” species (48 species eliminated), and the carrion traps took 12 weeks to capture the 11 “common” species (23 species eliminated). This illustrates the necessity for long-term trapping to accurately identify the species diversity in a study area. In the dung traps, the 17 common species accounted for 95% of the total numbers collected. In the carrion traps, the 11 common species accounted for 96% of the total numbers collected. The last new species to enter a dung trap was in week 48, and the last new species to enter a carrion trap was in week 53. The data show that “trapping out” in this primary rainforest site did not occur since weekly captures remained robust.

Convexocoleus Shin, new genus, in the New World tortoise beetle tribe Mesomphaliini (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) is described to accommodate a distinctive new species, Convexocoleus rileyi Shin, from the high mountains of Haiti. The new species exhibits characters typically associated with flightlessness, such as extreme convexity of the body and fused elytral medial margins, traits also characteristic of flightless species in the genus Elytrogona Chevrolat, also in the Mesomphaliini. A phylogenetic analysis of 23 mesomphaliine species, based on 44 morphological characters, revealed a distant relationship between the new species and those of Elytrogona, supporting the conclusion that the suite of traits associated with flightlessness was acquired independently. Convexocoleus rileyi is apparently more closely related to species of Botanochara Dejean, based on shared traits in the shape of the pronotum, elytra, and the basal tooth on the pretarsal claw. Relationships among mesomphaliines are briefly discussed, and modified couplets are provided for the existing key to mesomphaliine genera.

The adult male of the only pseudomorphine species known from Africa, Cryptocephalomorpha genieri Baehr, is described and illustrated based on specimens collected from Zambia at a light trap. A new locality is reported, and the distribution of the species and what is known about it are summarized. Cryptocephalomorpha genieri is separated from other members of the genus by a moderately large size and broad habitus, distinctive coloration lacking an elytral spot, and distinctive male genitalia. The additional character data provided by the discovery of the male of C. genieri are briefly discussed with respect to its systematic relationships within the genus Cryptocephalomorpha Ritsema.

The Neotropical bark beetle genera Cnemonyx Eichhoff, 1868 and Scolytus Geoffroy, 1762 are reviewed as part of ongoing research on the higher-level taxonomy of Scolytini. Ceratolepis Chapuis, 1869, Loganius Chapuis, 1869, and Cnemonyx setulosus (Eggers, 1929) are given new status. Twenty-four new combinations are reported: Ceratolepis amazonica Eggers, 1929 (not Schedl, 1952), Ceratolepis boliviae (Blackman, 1943), Ceratolepis hylurgoides (Schedl, 1949), Ceratolepis insignis (Wood, 1969), Ceratolepis jucunda Chapuis, 1869, Ceratolepis maculicornis Blandford, 1896, Ceratolepis nigra (Eggers, 1929), Loganius confinis Wood, 1961, Loganius equihuai (Wood, 1983), Loganius euphorbiae (Wood, 1986), Loganius evidens (Wood, 1983), Loganius exilis Wood, 1967, Loganius fastigius Wood, 1961, Loganius ficus Schwarz, 1894, Loganius flavicornis Chapuis, 1869, Loganius gracilens (Wood, 1969), Loganius impressus Wood, 1961, Loganius liratus Wood, 1961, Loganius niger Wood, 1961, Loganius prociduus Wood, 1961, Loganius recavus (Wood, 1969), Loganius splendens Wood, 1961, Loganius squamifer (Wood, 1979), and Loganius vagabundus Wood, 1961. Scolytus rabaglii Smith and Cognato, new species, is described. Five new synonyms were discovered: Ceratolepis Chapuis (= Coptosomus Schedl, 1952), Cnemonyx setulosus (Eggers, 1929) (= Cnemonyx similis (Eggers, 1929)), Loganius flavicornis Chapuis, 1869 (= Cnemonyx opacus Wood, 1969), Scolytus proximus Chapuis, 1869 (= Scolytus brevicauda Wichmann, 1915), and Scolytus thoracicus Chapuis, 1869 (= Scolytus plaumanni Wood, 2007). Two new country records are reported: Scolytus multistriatus in Argentina and Brazil.

We describe Strigister Caterino, Tishechkin, and Proudfoot new genus (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Histerinae: Exosternini) for Strigister tecolotito Caterino, Tishechkin, and Proudfoot new species and for Strigister simoni (Lewis, 1889) new combination. These species are excluded from Phelister Marseul based on several unique characters, especially transverse slits on the prosternal keel and a single v-shaped annulus on the antennal club, and the genus is suggested to be more closely related to Baconia Lewis. Strigister tecolotito has been found exclusively in association with nests of the ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum (Gmelin)) and the Eastern screech-owl (Megascops asio (L.)) in extreme southern Texas, USA. Strigister simoni is known only from the type specimen, lacking ecological data, from Venezuela.

The objective of this study was to determine the current distribution and natural history of Cicindela ohlone Freitag and Kavanaugh, the endangered Ohlone tiger beetle, and to provide information essential for its conservation and recovery. Laboratory and field studies were conducted on the beetle's life cycle, seasonality, developmental times of immature stages, fecundity, and survivorship. The species is restricted to Watsonville loam soil in coastal terrace grassland in Santa Cruz County, California but was found at only 17 of over 200 sites of this habitat type surveyed. Most sites were unsuitable because they lacked bare ground surface needed by adults and larvae. During the course of our studies between 1996 and 2012, C. ohlone disappeared from eight of these sites as a result of land use changes that destroyed the habitat totally or altered it by eliminating sufficient bare soil due to increased vegetation. Laboratory studies yielded a mean high of 42 eggs per female over a 4-week period. Larvae reared at ad libitum feeding levels developed from first instar through third instar in 109 days compared to 144 days for larvae fed at lower levels. Field studies indicated a 12% survival rate for first instars after one year; 7% emerged as adults and 4% continued development into the second year. This species' unusual winter pattern of adult activity from late January into April coincides with the area's rainy season. Adult activity was limited to days with air temperatures above 16°C. Most of the bare or sparsely vegetated area occupied by C. ohlone adults and larvae is maintained by animal or human disturbances, including those by gophers, ground squirrels, feral pigs, cattle, horses, mountain bikers, and pedestrian foot traffic. Our studies suggest that this insect is seriously threatened by increased vegetation growth at most sites and is now more endangered than when we began our studies. New and expanded habitat management strategies must be quickly implemented at all sites to improve habitat conditions and increase recruitment.

The variety of arthropod specimen preservation protocols has expanded greatly with the increased interest in preservation of molecular traits such as DNA sequences. While “best practices” for DNA preservation exist, practical limitations often preclude their use. To test the efficacy of propylene glycol as a DNA preservative agent, adult specimens of Cylindera lemniscata (LeConte) (Carabidae: Cicindelinae) and an Athetini sp. (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) were stored in 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% propylene glycol preservative at room temperature for up to six months. With the exception of the Athetini sp. preserved in 20% propylene glycol, all other treatments yielded the targeted COI gene sequences (ca. 800 base pairs). Propylene glycol appears to be a good preservative for DNA, even at low concentrations and ambient temperatures.

Madreallecula mcclevei Kanda, new genus and new species, is described from southeastern Arizona. This genus belongs to the subtribe Alleculina and is distinguished from other North American genera by its moniliform antennae and distally widened clypeus.

Larvae and adults of Metriona elatior (Klug) are oligophagous on a range of species of Solanum L. It remains unknown whether structural particularities of these plants influence performance or feeding preference of the beetle. In this study, survivorship, developmental rates, and size attained by M. elatior were evaluated for larvae reared on six species of Solanum. They were also tested with respect to larval feeding preference and female oviposition choice. The larvae performed better on Solanum aculeatissimum Jacquin, Solanum atropurpureum Shrank, and Solanum viarum Dunal compared to Solanum melongena L., Solanum guaraniticum Hassl, and Solanum sisymbriifolium Lamarck. In no-choice tests, first and fifth instars fed less on S. guaraniticum than on the other plants. In multiple-choice tests, the first instar showed no preference, but when reared on S. aculeatissimum and S. atropurpureum, the fifth instar fed more on these plants than on the others. Oviposition was greatest on S. atropurpureum, which also led to the highest consumption and best performance. These results indicate that performance and feeding preference are linked in M. elatior, except on S. viarum which supported adequate performance but was less preferred by larvae.