Attagenus unicolor subsp. japonicus Reitter 1877

Attagenus unicolor japonicus Reitter, 1877

NEW BRUNSWICK: Gloucester Co.: Caraquet, 23.vii.2001, G. Gallant, UMNB; Kings Co.: Long Reach, 19.vii.1971, Mrs. Tilley, UMNB; Madawaska Co.: Edmundston, 8.v.1977, E. Ouellette, UMNB; Saint John Co.: Saint John, 7.vi.1901, W. McIntosh, NBM. NOVA SCOTIA: 91 specimens examined from Colchester, Inverness, Cape Breton, Halifax, Queens, Shelburne, Annapolis, Kings, and Hants counties (Table 1). The earliest record is from 1950 (Colchester Co.: Truro, 25.i.1950, M.E. Neary, NSAC). PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Prince Co.: Summerside, 9.vii.1985, L.S. Thompson, ACPE; Queens Co.: Charlottetown, 1985, L.S. Thompson, ACPE; Charlottetown, 8.vii.1960, F.M. Cannon, ACPE, locality not recorded, 1993, collector not recorded, (2), ACPE.

An introduced Palearctic beetle, newly recorded in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (Fig. 3). In the USA found from Nevada and Idaho east to Michigan (Beal 2003); in Canada recorded from British Columbia east to Newfoundland (Bousquet 1991). The specimen collected in 1901 in New Brunswick is noteworthy, since it appears to be the earliest museum specimen of this species collected in North America. Bain (1999), however. has found it in latrine deposits in Québec that date from ~ 1860 indicating an earlier introduction. Larvae feed on wool, fur, skins, feathers, and other materials of animal origin; also found in grain elevators, flour and feed mills, and attacking museum specimens, and insect collections. Adults feed on nectar and pollen. In natural conditions found in bird, mammal, and wasp nests (Bousquet 1990).