Identification, distribution, and adult phenology of the carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of Texas.

The carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of Texas are surveyed. Thirteen of the 14 species, and five of the six genera, of this ecologically and forensically important group of scavengers that have previously been reported from Texas are confirmed here based on a study of 3,732 adult specimens. The one reported, but unconfirmed, species, Oxelytrum discicolle, was probably based on erroneous label data and is excluded from the Texas fauna. Two additional species, Nicrophorus sayi and N. investigator are discussed as possible, but unconfirmed, components of the fauna. Taxonomic diagnoses, Texas distribution range maps, seasonality profiles, and biological notes are presented for each confirmed species. The confirmed Texas silphid fauna of 13 species comprises 43% of the 30 species of this family that are known from America north of Mexico. The highest richness (11 species) is found in the combined Austroriparian and Texan biotic provinces of eastern Texas. Phenologically, three species (Necrophila americana, O. rugulosum and Nicrophorus tomentosus) exhibit bimodal adult temporal occurrence patterns with peaks in the spring and late summer or fall; four species (Oiceoptoma noveboracense, Necrodes surinamensis, Nicrophorus carolinus, and N. orbicollis) exhibit unimodal occurrence patterns with a single peak in late spring or early summer; one species (Oiceoptonia inaequale) exhibits a unimodal occurrence pattern with a single peak in early spring; and five species (Thanatophilus truncatus, Nicrophorus americanus, N. marginatus, N. mexicanus and N. pustulatus) display unimodal occurrence patterns with peaks in late summer or early fall.

On the status of Microrhopala arizonica Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Chalepini).

The specific status of Microrhopala arizonica Schaeffer 1906 is restored by its removal from synonymy with Pentispa suturalis (Baly 1885). The type specimens of Chalepus suturalis Baly 1885 and Microrhopala arizonica Schaeffer 1906 were studied together with numerous additional specimens. Lectotypes are designated for both names to stabilize their applications. Confusion surrounding the name Microrhopala suturalis Weise 1905 is discussed. Following currently held generic concepts, M. arizonica is a member of the genus Microrhopala Chevrolat 1836 and not Pentispa Chapuis 1875. A brief summary of the history of these names is presented, and the diagnostic characters for separating the two species as well as those that distinguish the genera Microrhopala and Pentsipa are discussed.

A taxonomic review of the Xanthonia species occurring in Texas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Eumolpinae).

Taxonomy of the Texas representatives of the genus Xanthonia Baly, 1863 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae) is reviewed. A total of 12 species are recognized in Texas, including seven that are described as new: X. hirsuta Weisman, X. marquai Riley Quinn, X. nitida Weisman, X. parva Riley Quinn, X. picturata Weisman Riley, X. querci Weisman, and X. texana Weisman. A key to the species recorded from Texas is given together with habitus and male genitalia figures, plant associations, and Texas range maps. Adult seasonality and plant preference data are graphically presented for abundant central Texas species. Previous Texas records of X. striata Staines Weisman are based on misidentifications of X. angulata Staines Weisman.