Common Click Beetle - Dalopius vetulus

Moved

Re-examination of genialia (esp. the basal piece) makes me think this is vetulus over spretus.

Moved from Dalopius.

… Blaine Mathison, 14 February, 2013 - 5:39pm

It is nice to get a species name on this one ...

... and the other two commoners! Thanks a bundle Blaine for your time and efforts.

… Jim Moore, 14 February, 2013 - 11:35pm

Dalopius

The genitalia place this species near D. spretus (British Columbia) and D. vetulus (Marin Co, CA). The size and genitalia are closer to spretus, as is the slightly longer apical blade on the lateral lobes of the genitalia. Brown (1934) described both species as 'dark brown' (I'd call this specimen more red-brown personally...).

Not sure the likelihood of a BC species in that region of CA. Brown (1934) didnt work with large sample sets so the full extent of the ranges are not known (I've found 5 of his eastern Canadian species in my Southeast study!).

Hume Douglas works at CNCI where the type is housed so I'll ask him to look at the types and how they compare with this specimen externally.

In the meantime I will leave this at the genus level. I will dissect a few of your Westwood Dalopius to make sure they are the same species. So, bear with me if comments/names trickle in gradually...

… Blaine Mathison, 9 February, 2013 - 5:43pm

No help from checking types

Hi ave looked a the type and others of spretus and the type of vetulus and could find no apparently useful differences, at least in dorsal view. This picture could match both.

… Hume Douglas, 14 February, 2013 - 9:37am

that's fine Hume, thanks

I would be more worried if it didn't match either of them. I will look at the genitalia again tonight or the weekend and make an executive decision (leaning towards spretus based on my initial examination).

… Blaine Mathison, 14 February, 2013 - 9:49am

Moved

If it is common, please collect a series. That way, there is certain to be males, as examination of their genitalia is crucial for species-level identification.

Moved from Click Beetles.

… Blaine Mathison, 6 December, 2012 - 1:11pm

...

I have several specimens that I can send your way! : )

… Jim Moore, 6 December, 2012 - 1:30pm

yeah

my guess is most of the Dalopius from your yard will be the same species, but you never know...

… Blaine Mathison, 6 December, 2012 - 1:32pm