Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Staphylinidae

Atheta (Microdota) festinans (Erichson) Figs 56-60

Atheta (Microdota) festinans (For diagnosis and synonymy, see Gusarov 2003b)

Homalota festinans Erichson, 1839: 112. As Atheta (Microdota): Gusarov 2003a, b, Brunke et al. 2012.

Material examined.

Canada, Quebec, Berthier Co., Berthierville, 20.XI.2004, Michel Racine coll., sous débris de bois, dans sablière, avec Carabe Dyschiriodes sp. (LFC) 1 female.

Natural history.

This is the first record with habitat data for this species. The QC specimen was captured from woody debris in a sandy pit in association with Dyschirius sp. ( Carabidae).

Distribution .

Erichson (1839) described this species from PA in USA. Gusarov (2003b) recorded it from AZ, CT, IA, IN, KY, NY, PA, and RI. Bernhauer (1907) reported Atheta festinans from ON, and Brunke et al. (2012) confirmed occurrence of this species in Waterloo Reg., ON. Here, we provide the first record of this species from QC.

Comments.

All known Canadian specimens of Atheta festinans are females. Gusarov (2003b) remarked that all specimens seen of this species were females and suggested that this species may be parthenogenetic.