Food theft is a common foraging strategy in birds, and many arthropods steal prey trapped by orb-weaving spiders. Some fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) within the North American genus Photuris Dejean (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are specialist predators which actively hunt for and sequester chemical defenses (lucibufagins) from other fireflies. Here we present the first description of kleptoparasitic behavior by female Photuris fireflies, which we have observed stealing wrapped fireflies of the genus Photinus Laporte from spider webs. Photuris females thus appear capable of three distinct foraging strategies: hawking, aggressive flash mimicry, and kleptoparasitism. We discuss some factors that might have favored the evolution of kleptoparasitism by this specialist predator.

The history of the placement of the incertae sedis taxa Cladobradus Pic and Cladobradus atritarsis Pic are discussed. As a result of detailed study of the type, they are placed in the Eurypinae (Mycteridae). The unique specimen is redescribed and illustrated, and a lectotype designated.

The geographic distribution of species of Glyptasida Casey, 1912 ranges from along the western edge of the Great Plains from southern Canada to northern Jalisco, Mexico and west into Utah. Species and habitat associations of these beetles are here analyzed using a powerful geospatial dataset created by layering four habitat attributes (land cover, elevation, precipitation, and temperature) with locality data from museum specimens. Individuals of Glyptasida are associated with shrubland and grassland of temperate and tropical biomes. Species are found between 380 and 3,035 m elevation, in areas receiving 15–92 cm of precipitation and experiencing temperatures between -7° and 30°C annually. The distribution of Glyptasida conforms to the elevation and precipitation patterns in shrubland and grassland areas. Distribution cuts across temperature patterns, and therefore temperature does not appear to restrict the distributions of Glyptasida species. Geospatial considerations indicate favorable conditions for Glyptasida in areas of the Great Basin (western Utah, southern Idaho, southeastern Oregon, and northern Nevada), areas where records for the beetles are absent. Combined restricted walking dispersal patterns and constrained grassland/shrubland corridors in the Rocky Mountains potentially limits the distribution of individuals of Glyptasida into these areas.

Mycterus youngi Pollock, new species, is described (type locality: Griffith State Nursery, Wood County, Wisconsin) based on three male and six female specimens. This species appears closely related to Mycterus marmoratus Pollock (Highlands County, Florida), but differs in details of elytral vestiture and pronotal shape. A revised partial key to the North American species of Mycterus Clairville is provided, supplemented with images of habitus and anatomical features of the new species and M. marmoratus.

The third instars of Hylamorpha elegans (Burmeister, 1844) and Aulacopalpus punctatus (Fairmaire and Germain, 1860) (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Anoplognathini) are described. Descriptions are based on larvae reared from eggs laid by adults in the laboratory and larvae collected in the field. These are the first descriptions of anoplognathine larvae from southern South America. The larvae feed in the root layer in pastures. The two species are easily distinguished by the coloration and roughness of the cephalic capsule and the distribution and shape of the setae on the raster.

Digitonthophagus gazella (F.) has been widely introduced to the New World and both natural dispersal and intentional releases continue. In this study, we compare a population of D. gazella from South Africa and from the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. Genetic diversity was found to be high in both South Africa (H = 0.3623) and Vieques (H = 0.3846), providing no evidence of inbreeding depression on Vieques. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 69% of genetic diversity is within the populations and 31% of genetic diversity is between the populations, indicating that if interbreeding occurs between these populations, it is rare and likely human-mediated. The Fst value of 0.3143 also suggests that there is genetic isolation between populations in Africa and newly established populations in the New World. Because of its competitiveness and natural dispersal ability, additional comparisons of D. gazella populations, biology, and genetics are warranted.

The reproductive behavior of Eurysternus plebejus Harold under laboratory conditions is described. Following a feeding period, reproduction takes place starting with a nuptial feast characterized by female production of food balls. Mating then takes place prior to nesting. One or two compound nests are made during the lifespan of the female. Nests are located in a crater beneath a dung pat, and contain several brood balls that are cared for by the female until emergence of the offspring. Larvicide does not occur. Males live for a significantly shorter time than females.

Nests of Sulcophanaeus menelas (Laporte) and Sulcophanaeus imperator (Chevrolat) are composed of single or branched, vertical to horizontal tunnels, empty or partially filled with dung, and at most one nesting chamber bearing a brood ball. Horizontal, branched nests were found made only by S. imperator, whereas branched nests of S. menelas were vertical. Brood balls of S. menelas are drop-shaped with a conical upper pole and a plug of dung fibers. The egg chamber, inside the provisions, is lined with organic matter, probably adult feces. Brood balls of S. imperator are pearshaped, showing a protuberance composed of soil material, which contains the upper half of the egg chamber. The lower half is located in the provisions. The egg chamber has an upper pore and its wall, relatively thick, is made of soil material and dung fibers, like the external wall. These observations are analyzed considering previous reports, behavioral plasticity, adaptations to different environmental conditions, and phytogeny. Brood balls of S. imperator are similar to the ichnofossil Coprinisphaera kheprii Laza from the Cenozoic of Argentina.

The single known species of the genus Lepilius Champion in the United States is formally described and named. Lepilius chisosensis Anderson, new species, is known from leaf litter samples taken in Pine Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Texas. Lepilius chisosensis is distinguished from the only other described species in the genus, Lepilius pulchellus Champion, by the pattern of surface vestiture, robust tibia, and form of male genitalia. Numerous undescribed species of Lepilius are known from Mexico south into Honduras.