Trichodes nuttalli (Kirby, 1818)

Chapman, Eric G., Leavengood, John M. & Dupuis, Julian R., 2025, The Cleridae and Thanerocleridae of eastern North America, with illustrated keys, updated distributions, and special emphasis on the Kentucky fauna, Zootaxa 5639 (1), pp. 1-88 : 69

Trichodes nuttalli (Kirby, 1818) ; Cleridae : Clerinae : Dieropsini

Illustrations: Plate 5-J. Trichodes key, couplet 1-B

Distribution: A northern species occurring from NY to NB to AB to CO.

- Recorded from: CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NY, OH, RI, SD, VT, WI, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan ( Knaus 1901; Wolcott 1947; Knull 1951; Papp 1960; Majka 2006; Gandhi et al. 2009; BugGuide). Wolcott (1947) and Papp (1960) listed “… Maine, south to Florida …” This is almost certainly incorrect, yet there are no similar species (e.g., T. ornatus Say ) in the southeast with which T. nuttalli could be confused. Foster (1973) is referenced for the specimens examined in Foster (1976). Without access to Foster’s (1973) dissertation, one cannot be certain as to which states do and do not have verified records in Foster’s (1976) distribution maps.

Natural History: This diurnal species is a pollen feeder as adults and a predator of bees and wasps in their nests as larvae ( Bøving & Champlain 1920). Dorshorst & Young (2008) reported that it is most commonly collected from blackeyed susan ( Rudbeckia hirta ), ceanothus ( Ceanothus ), dogbane ( Apocynum ), large-flowered beardtongue ( Penstemon bradburyi (= P. grandiflorus ), leadplant ( Amorpha canescens ), narrowleaf mountainmint ( Pycnanthemum tenuifolium ), and rose ( Rosa ) in Wisconsin. They also reported collections from the following flowers: Canada anemone ( Anemone canadense ), clustered poppymallow ( Callirhoe triangulata ), eastern prickly pear ( Opuntia humifusa ), false sunflower ( Heliopsis helianthoides ), fleabane ( Erigeron ),hedge bindweed ( Calystegia sepium ), milkweeds ( Asclepias hirtella , A. incarnata , A. syriaca , A. verticillata ), Missouri goldenrod ( Solidago missouriensis ), oxeye daisy ( Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (= Leucanthemum vulgare subsp. vulgare )), smooth sumac ( Rhus glabra ), spotted beebalm ( Monarda punctata ), and wild bergamot ( M. fistulosa ), St John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ), Virginia mountain mint ( Pycnanthemum virginianum ), western sunflower ( Helianthus occidentalis ), white meadowsweet ( Spiraea alba ), wild geranium ( Geranium maculatum ), wild quinine ( Parthenium integrifolium ), and yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ). Dorshorst & Young (2008) also reported collections via various traps (flight intercept, Lindgren funnel, Malaise, pan, pitfall).