The Soldier Beetles and False Soldier Beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae and Omethidae) of the George Washington Memorial Parkway

Abstract

A 13-year field survey, and a review of collections maintained at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, rendered a total of 37 cantharid species in four subfamilies, and one species of omethid beetle, from a national park site (George Washington Memorial Parkway) in Virginia. Twenty species are reported for the first time from the Commonwealth. Malaise traps proved to be the most successful capture methods of the five methods employed during the survey. Periods of adult activity, based on dates of capture, are given for each species. Relative abundance is noted for each species based on the number of captures. Notes on morphological characteristics and habitats are given for some species. A new form of Dichelotarsus vernalis (Green) is described along with the female of Polemius limbatus LeConte. An eastward range extension of 644 km (400 mi) is documented for Trypherus pauperculus Fender. Images of the dorsal habitus or male genitalia are provided for nine species.<br/> <br/>