Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Species originally described in Cryptostoma by Horn in 1878. In 1891, Horn created Palaeoxenus and moved his dorhnii to the genus.
Identification
Bright blood red and black colorations, large size and Californian range will distinguish the species from all other Nearctic Eucnemidae.
Range
Endemic in Southern California. The species has been collected in several mountain ranges in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas.
Habitat
Typically found in remote mountainous forest lands consisting of incense cedar, ponderosa pine and sugar pine. Both adults and larvae were found beneath bark near the base of a stump.
Season
Adults are observed in May and June.
Remarks
While searching for additional information for the genus on the internet, a
website was found. An old insect collection was donated to Montana State University Insect collection. Palaeoxenus dohrnii was mentioned as one of the insects contained within the donated collection and noted the eucnemid is considered as an endangered species.
However, I have researched for any state and federal lists, regarding endangered, threatened or species of concerns. Through any further research, none of these lists I have found, named Dohrn's Elegant Eucnemid Beetle as an endangered or threatened species. The eucnemid is not listed on the species of concern list for the state of California either.
The eucnemid is very endemic and rare within the state of California. As more information become available, only then one will know for sure if the species should afford protection status.
Print References
Boving, A.G. & Graighead, F.C. 1930. An illustrated Synopsis of the Principle Larval Forms of Coleoptera. Entomological Americana (new series) 11: 1-351. --(ventral aspect of larva illustrated, no formal description made)
Fenyes, A. 1903. Paleoxenus (Cryptosoma) dohrnii Horn. Entomological News 11: 220. -- (biological observations)
Horn, G.H. 1878. Contribution to the Coleopterology of the United States II. Transactions to the American Entomological Society 7: 51-60. -- (species description)
Horn, G.H. 1882. Notes on some little known genera and species of Coleoptera. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 10(1): 113- . -- (illustration of adult)
Horn, G.H. 1891. New Species and Miscellaneus Notes. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 18: 32-48. -- (description of Palaeoxenus)
Muona, J. 2000. A revision of the Nearctic Eucnemidae. Acta Zoologica Fennica 212: 1-106.
