REVIEW OF THE WESTERN NEARCTIC SPECIES OF ATHOUS (COLEOPTERA: ELATERIDAE), WITH A KEY TO THE SPECIES NORTH OF PANAMA

Abstract

AbstractThe western Canadian species of Athous are described and illustrated in detail. Notes are given for the other western nearctic species including the description of a new subspecies, A. rufiventris brighti, from Arizona. A key to the species and subspecies north of Panama is presented.A lectotype is designated for Athous varius Lane. Several new synonymies are proposed: Athous excavatus carmeli Van Dyke is a synonym of excavatus (Motschulsky) and excavatus angelicus Van Dyke is a synonym of axillaris Horn; orophilus Harold (= montanus LeConte) and nugalis Fall are synonyms of nigropilis Motschulsky.Two names have been overlooked by North American cataloguers: Athous fallianus Reitter, an unnecessary replacement name for Athous aterrimus Fall and which now becomes a new synonym of aterrimus; and Athous debilitatus Candèze, a necessary replacement name for Athous debilis LeConte and which is now recognized as a valid species, Conoderus debilitatus (see section on species previously described in Athous).