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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 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 |