Review of North American Dascillidae (Coleoptera: Dascilloidea), with Descriptions of Dramatic Female Wing Reduction

Abstract

The species of Dascillidae are reviewed for North America. Anorus arizonicusBlaisdell, 1934 is proposed as a new synonym of Anorus parvicollisHorn, 1894; Dascillus plumbeusHorn, 1880 is proposed as a new synonym of Dascillus davidsoni LeConte, 1859. The termitiform, flightless female of A. parvicollis, with extremely reduced elytra, is described and illustrated for the first time. A key is provided for adults of all three valid species of North American Dascillidae, which includes newly described and illustrated characters for all species. Adult females of all three species are described and compared. All have hind wings at least somewhat reduced compared to their fully winged male counterparts and display a grade of elytral development from complete (D. davidsoni) to tiny and scalelike (A. parvicollis). A distributional checklist of New World Dascillidae is provided. Pleolobus fuscescensPhilippi and Philippi, 1864 is designated as the type species for the Chilean genus PleolobusPhilippi and Philippi, 1864. We also provide distribution maps for all North American species and discuss some higher classification issues within Dascillidae.