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BULLETIN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA STATE MUSEUM
only silphid present in some of these areas.
Thanatophilus lapponicus shows a strong
preference for open areas (Anderson 1982c).
Emetz (1975) reported that this species
is sometimes injurious to furs, meats, and
dried fish. Clark (1895) observed extensive
predation on fly larvae by adult beetles.
Thanatophilus truncatus (Say)
(Figs. 33, 63-64)
Silpha truncata Say 1823: 193.
Diagnosis. Length 10.5-15.9 mm. Head
and Thorax: Color black. Surface with small,
dense punctures, punctures with minute,
black, adpressed setae. Elytra: Color black.
Surface with small, dense punctures, costae
Fig. 64. Thanatophilus truncatus (Say).
or tubercles absent. Apices of elytra truncate,
not attenuated, in both sexes (Fig. 33).
Distribution. Thanatophilus truncatus is
found from Nebraska southwest to Kansas,
Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
(Peck and Kaulbars 1987). It occurs in
much of Mexico also, ranging as far south
as southcentral Mexico (Peck and Anderson
1985). In Nebraska, this species has been
found as far east as Lincoln and as far north
as Custer county.
Locality Records (Fig. 63). 346 Nebraska
specimens examined or recorded.
BUFFALO CO. (2): Kearney; CUSTER CO.
(5): Sargent; DUNDY CO. (5): Haigler, 1.5
mi. SW Max; FRANKLIN CO. (1): No data;
FRONTIER CO. (101): Farnam, Medicine