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Species Tasgius melanarius

Black rove 1 - Tasgius melanarius Rove Beetle - Tasgius melanarius Rove Beetle - Tasgius melanarius STAPHYLINOIDEA		Ocypus nitens		Rove Beetle - Tasgius melanarius Beetle - Tasgius melanarius black rove beetle - Tasgius melanarius Rove Beetle - Tasgius melanarius Rove Beetle - Tasgius melanarius
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga
No Taxon (Series Staphyliniformia)
Superfamily Staphylinoidea
Family Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles)
Subfamily Staphylininae (Large Rove Beetles)
Tribe Staphylinini
Subtribe Staphylinina
Genus Tasgius
Species melanarius (Tasgius melanarius)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
=Ocypus melanarius
Explanation of Names
Tasgius melanarius (Heer 1839)
Size
13-20 mm
Identification
Elytra and pronotum of about same length [elytra shorter => see Ocypus nitens];

For both Tasgius melanarius and winkleri versus T. ater:

Head and pronotum only with dull sheen, due to dense punctures of one size (diagnostic);
smooth midline of pronotum often reduced anteriourly;
Mandibles siccle-shaped, bluntly thicker in about middle (subgenus Rayacheila);
Abdomen with only inconspicuous tactile setae; length of setae < 3rd antennal segment;
For safe discrimination of the two species, study of male genitalia recommended.

Not in the books, but useful if seen:
Tip of mandibles sharp in both dorsal, and frontal view, dagger-shaped
(caution: make sure edge of mandible is not worn off; compare alternative condition under winkleri)


Range
native to w. Palaearctic thru C. Asia, adventive in our area (e. Canada, New England to NY, WA)(1)
Habitat
similar to T. ater
Remarks
earliest NA record: QC 1935(1)
Internet References
Works Cited
1.Introduced Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) in the Maritime Provinces of Canada
Majka C.G., Klimaszewski J. 2008. The Canadian Entomologist 140: 48-72.
2.Staphylinidae of eastern Canada and the adjacent United States. Keys to subfamilies; Staphylininae: ...
Brunke A., Newton A., Klimaszewski J., Majka C.G., Marshall S. 2011. Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification 12: 1-110.