Very tiny Beetle - Fallapion pensylvanicum

Fallapion pennsylvanicum Boheman

Moved from Pear-shaped Weevils. Tentatively ID'd from series of 4 specimens (3 male, 1 female), one male of which will be assigned as the photo voucher. Thanks Lisa.

I'm still not 100% sure about this. This species is very close to F. occidentale Fall, which feeds on Helianthus. Lisa says there is Helianthus nearby, but I would also expect wild parsnip as it is a common weed.

What swings me more towards F. pennsylvanicum is the smaller average size, the nonstriate polished areas of the male front femora, and the location. While F. pennsylvanicum is very widespread, the similar F. occidentale is more of a central/western species.

I've also seen the name spelled pennsylvanicum and pensylvanicum, but I'm not sure which is correct. The spelling with two n's seems more common.

… Brad Barnd, 9 February, 2014 - 3:10pm

not sure which one, but looks nice

this subfamily includes hundreds of species and is a very tough group; host plant info may be critical --hope you see more of them on their plant, come spring

Moved from ID Request.

… v belov, 18 December, 2013 - 7:27pm

Beetle

Thank you very much.
I hope so too. I was very surprised to see it in the container.

… Lisa I., 18 December, 2013 - 7:31pm