Malthinus occipitalis atripennis
LeConte, 1851
Malthinus occipitalis atripennis is a of soldier beetle in the Cantharidae. It is a small, soft-bodied found in eastern North America. The subspecies designation 'atripennis' refers to its black-winged condition, distinguishing it from the nominate form. Like other cantharids, it is likely predatory as a larva and may feed on pollen and nectar as an , though specific ecological studies for this subspecies are limited.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Malthinus occipitalis atripennis: //mælˈθaɪnəs ɒkˌsɪpɪˈtælɪs ˌætrɪˈpɛnɪs//
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Identification
Distinguished from the nominate M. o. occipitalis by the black (atricolor) ; the nominate form typically has yellow or orange elytra. are small, slender, and soft-bodied with flexible elytra. The pronotum is typically yellow-orange with a dark marking at the base. are thread-like and moderately long.
Distribution
Eastern North America; recorded from Ontario and Québec in Canada. The M. occipitalis occurs broadly in North America, with the atripennis apparently restricted to the eastern portion of the range.
Similar Taxa
- Malthinus occipitalis occipitalisNominate with yellow or orange rather than black; otherwise similar in size and body form.
- Malthinus spp.Other small cantharids in the same may overlap in distribution; precise identification requires examination of elytral coloration and pronotal pattern.