small elaterid - Glyphonyx helix

Moved

… Blaine Mathison, 19 April, 2014 - 7:51am

Glyphonyx helix, tent det

I am going to tentatively move this to G. helix. The size and color and consistent with.

The prosternal process is hard to fully appreciate in these images due to the angle, but the degree of emargination matches a specimen I have from OK.

The supra-antennal cariane and nasale carinae are fairly narrowly-jonined, but according to Smith and Balsbaugh (1984): 'The frontal margin of G. helix is quite variable; the vertical carina ranging from being barely visible to long and evident.'

It is not recorded from MD, but has been found as far north as MO and OH. That is was collected on a barrier island could be supportive, as some southeastern clickers do make their way north coastally (e.g. Lanelater sallei in MD and Conoderus scissus in VA).

It would be nice to see a series of specimens from the area to confirm the ID. If it is not G. helix, it could be new...

… Blaine Mathison, 19 April, 2014 - 7:50am

Moved

I am pretty confident too this is Glyophonyx; I see iverted carinae over the nasale in the venter image and the tarsi have a membranous lobe.

Very interesting however. These are hard to ID from images because too many characters from too many angles need to be seen. This is a rather peculiar individual. That it is from a barrier island could also prove interesting. Unusual color and prosternal process too!

Moved from ID Request.

… Blaine Mathison, 18 April, 2014 - 8:49am

more...

could you give a straight-on shot of the prosternal process, and maybe a face shot showing the connection of the frontal margin and nasale carinae? This could be G. helix. The size and color are a fit. I dont have my Glyphonyx revision with me now at work; G. helix is a southern thing that goes north to TN and MO so its presence in VA is likely (although I cannot verify now if it's been officially recorded from there).

Thanks!

… Blaine Mathison, 18 April, 2014 - 8:56am

new pics

Hopefully the additional shots provide some more information. Not sure if I understood what you meant by a more "straight-on" shot of the prosternal process, but I can always take more pictures if needed.

… Drew Sheaffer, 18 April, 2014 - 11:50pm

thanks

Will get additional shots as soon as I am able, hopefully by tomorrow evening.

… Drew Sheaffer, 18 April, 2014 - 9:05am

nice; hope you see the specimens

… v belov, 18 April, 2014 - 8:55am

other specimens

I have at least one other specimen from the same collecting event that is very similar but with the dark suture seemingly of even width for the entire length of the elytra.

… Drew Sheaffer, 17 April, 2014 - 8:14pm