Stenistoderus rubripennis
(LeConte, 1880)
Red-winged Rove Beetle
A medium-sized rove beetle (Staphylinidae) characterized by distinctive reddish-orange that contrast with its darker and pronotum. The occurs across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Ontario south to Texas and east to the Atlantic coast. have been collected in diverse terrestrial including deciduous forests, grasslands, and riparian areas. The specific epithet 'rubripennis' refers directly to the red-colored wing covers.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Stenistoderus rubripennis: /stɛˌnɪstoʊˈdɛrəs ˌruːbrɪˈpɛnɪs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other Stenistoderus and related xantholinine rove beetles by the combination of: reddish-orange to reddish-brown contrasting with darker and pronotum; moderately large body size for the (approximately 10-15 mm); and typical staphylinid form with shortened elytra exposing most of the . Similar in the tribe Xantholinini may share coloration but differ in body proportions, punctation patterns, or geographic range.
Habitat
Terrestrial in eastern and central North America including deciduous forests, mixed woodlands, grassland edges, and riparian corridors. Specific microhabitat preferences within these systems are not well documented.
Distribution
Canada: Ontario. United States: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.
Similar Taxa
- Stenistoderus speciesOther members of the share general body form and may occur sympatrically; identification requires examination of coloration patterns and subtle morphological details
- Xantholinini tribe membersRelated rove beetles in the same tribe may exhibit similar size and general appearance; definitive identification relies on detailed examination of antennal structure, pronotal shape, and male genitalia