Quedius peregrinus
(Gravenhorst, 1806)
Quedius peregrinus is a of in the , originally described by Gravenhorst in 1806 under the basionym Microsaurus peregrinus. It belongs to the tribe Quediini within the Staphylininae. The species is to North America and has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning eastern Canada and much of the eastern and central United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Quedius peregrinus: //ˈkwiːdi.ʊs pɛrəˈɡrɪnʊs//
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Identification
As a member of the Quedius, this can be recognized by the characteristic of Quediini , which typically possess a somewhat flattened body form, prominent , and relatively long . Definitive identification to species level requires examination of male and detailed morphological comparison with . The species epithet "peregrinus" (meaning "wandering" or "foreign") may allude to its broad distribution or historical taxonomic confusion with European forms.
Distribution
Recorded from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia). The distribution spans the eastern deciduous forest and adjacent regions.
Ecological Role
As a (), Q. peregrinus likely functions as a or scavenger in soil and leaf litter , contributing to and of small . The specific ecological role has not been documented.
Similar Taxa
- Quedius cruentusSimilar eastern North Quedius requiring genitalic examination for separation
- Quedius plagiatusAnother widespread eastern with overlapping distribution and similar general
More Details
Taxonomic History
Originally described as Microsaurus peregrinus by Gravenhorst in 1806, this was later transferred to the Quedius. The basionym Microsaurus peregrinus remains relevant for nomenclatural purposes.
Collection Records
The is represented by 14 observations in iNaturalist and is present in major North entomological collections, though it is not among the most frequently collected Quedius species.