Three Palearctic species of <I>Rugilus</I> Leach in North America (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Paederinae): redescriptions, new synonymy, and new records

Abstract

Redescriptions, new synonymy, new North American records (including maps), notes on habitat preferences, and remarks on the status of three Palearctic species of Rugilus in North America are provided. The widespread Palearctic R. orbtculatus (Paykull) is reported tor the first time from North America from numerous eastern and western localities. Rugilus latiusculus (Casey, 1884) and R. oregonus (Casey, 1905) are shown to be conspecific with R. orbiculatus (Paykull, 1789) (NEW SYNONYMY); a lectotype for R. latiusculus is designated. Rugilus rufipes Germar, an immigrant species known previously from Washington and Ontario, is newly recorded from Quebec. Rugilus fragilus (Gravenhorst), recorded previously from eastern Canada, is listed for the first time from the United States (Maine and New York).