large black Rove Beetle with brown tail - Platydracus mysticus

Moved

… Curt Harden, 18 July, 2021 - 8:17pm

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Platydracus mysticus

Platydracus, but not pinorum, which has evenly black pubescent basal abdominal tergites, not the paired more densely pubescent black spots on each tergite seen here. This appears to be P. mysticus, but a closely related and similar-looking species (P. caliginosus) common in SW US and Mexico, has recently turned up in VA and SC and is difficult to separate from mysticus.

… Alfred F. Newton, 14 July, 2021 - 7:39pm

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A good one to be verified by

A good one to be verified by Al Newton - he's really the only one that has an accurate picture of this genus outside of NE NA. My det from 2009 wasn't very certain

… Adam Brunke, 6 March, 2021 - 12:32pm

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really?

in original description, pinorum is compared to tomentosus, as a difference
pointed out: "lacking the median velvety spots on abdomen".

This spotting distinct here, and figure on visible tergite V. just like in dark forms of P. mysticus.

… Boris Büche, 6 March, 2021 - 10:27am

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Moved

Moved from Platydracus.

… v belov, 13 December, 2009 - 9:21pm

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I believe this is Platydracus

I believe this is Platydracus pinorum, a southeastern species..not really familiar with them in the SE but I don't think there are any others like this

Adam

… Adam Brunke, 13 December, 2009 - 8:54pm

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Staphylinidae: Staphylininae: Platydracus sp.

I hate to attempt to identify groups outside New England that are not in my specialty areas, but it this isn't Platydracus, it is very close.

… Donald S. Chandler, 1 December, 2005 - 7:48pm

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