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-20- Thinopinus LeConte. The
single species, T. pictus
LeConte, is a large stout cream-colored insect with dark markings on the
upper surface. It is confined to the
Pacific coast of North America. It has a pale form south of Monterey,
California, and a dark form, sub-species variegatus
Motschulsky, north of there. In southern California it is common on some
beaches where it can be found at night on the wet sand during an outgoing
tide. Individuals usually stay in one place waiting for the approach of a
beach hopper (Orchestoidea). When approaching they pounce on it and
consume it. This species is rarely
found in seaweed. Hadrotes
Mäklin. Only two species are known, H.
crassus Mäklin from Alaska to Baja California and H. wakefieldi Cameron from New Zealand.
The former is a large (up to 22 mm) linear species which is not abundant in
decaying seaweed. It is sluggish in its movements. Hadropinus
Sharp is known by a single species, H. fossor
Sharp, from Japan. It is described as
black with the elytra solid yellow except along the suture which is
darker. Length is given at 23 mm. It
is said to make burrows in the sand under seaweed. Subfamily StaphylininaeMembers of this subfamily are medium sized to large
insects. They inhabit a large variety of habitats. The four marine genera can
be separated by the following key. KEY TO GENERA OF MARINE STAPHYLININAE I. Superior lateral line of prothorax
deflexed in front so that the large lateral setigerous puncture is removed from it by at least three
times the width of the puncture.....................................2 Superior lateral line of prothorax not
deflexed in front so that the large lateral setigerous puncture is on it or separated from it
at most by the width of the puncture...........................3 2. Anterior tibiae with spines on the outer
edge............................................................Cafius Anterior tibiae without spines on the
outer edge. ...............................................Phucobius 3. Pronotum with a single puncture on each
side of disc. ..........................................Orthidus Pronotum with a row of punctures on
each side of disc. ....................................Philonthus Thinocafius Steel. This genus was erected for a single species, T. insularis Steel, from Chatham Island. From the original description it appears not to be separable from Cafius. Cafius Curtis. Fifty-two species have been
described in Cafius. All
members of this genus are found on the seashore or on margins of rivers near
the sea. They are very active both running and flying, usually black or brown
but sometimes with yellow or reddish elytra and average 10-15 mm in length.
The majority of species are found in temperate regions but a few are wide
spread in the tropics. Seven species, some very common, others rare, are
found together in wrack on the Pacific coast of North America. They are known
to lay their eggs deep in the sand |