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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 Staphylininae

Members 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