INTRODUCTION

THE PURPOSE OF THIS WORK is to bring together for entomologists and non-specialists alike a set of easily usable keys to the genera of the Staphylinidae of America north of Mexico based on characters that are readily visible in typical museum specimens without dissection or other special treatment. Phylogeny is reflected in at least some of the keys.

Only three other publications have attempted to deal with this subject. The first two, LeConte and Horn (1883) and Bradley (1930), are long out of date. In a more recent compilation Arnett (1961) admitted to little experience with the group.

Some of the keys do appear in recent American literature. However, the material is scattered in works that tend to feature small sections of the family. These papers are mentioned in the notes following the keys as further aids to identification.

The arrangement of this work is, first a key to the subfamilies, then a key to the genera of each subfamily given in the order in which the subfamilies appear in the subfamily key, and finally a bibliography. Names of tribes, where used, are presented in parentheses in the body of the keys to genera. Tribal names end in -ini.

KEY TO THE SUBFAMILIES OF THE STAPHYLINIDAE

OF AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO

[ CLICK on underlined categories to redirect:]

1. Antenna inserted on surface of head between anterior margin of eyes; last segment of

maxillary palpus subulate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

Antenna inserted at front or side margin of head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3

2(1). Posterior coxae small, separated. .. . ... .. . ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .Steninae

Posterior coxae large, contiguous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . Aleocharinae

3(1). Antenna 9-segmented; posterior coxae separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Micropeplinae

Antenna 10- or II-segmented; posterior coxae contiguous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

4 (3) . Last segment of labial palpus large, semilunar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oxyporinae

Last segment of labial palpus not semilunar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5

5 (4) . Head with a pair of ocelli between posterior margins of eyes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 6

Head without ocelli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 7