Beetles Identification Guide

Distribution: Throughout the temperate and warm regions. In Canada the species
has been reported in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
Economic importance: In the field this species is commonly found in a wide
variety of overripe fruit. The damage is done by both adults and larvae, which
feed on the flesh of fruit, particularly when contaminated by fungi and yeasts.
The species has also been found in all kinds of dried fruit and much less frequently
in cereals, oilseed, and their derivatives.
Glischrochilus fasciatus (Olivier)
redspotted sap beetle
nitidule fascié
Diagnosis: The two species of Glischrochilus included in this guide differ from
the other nitidulids dealt with here by their larger size (length 4—7 mm), the
absence of visible pubescence on the pronotum and the elytra, fused labrum and
clypeus, and the presence of two sharply contrasting yellowish spots on each
elytron. Adults of G. fasciatus differ from those of G. quadrisignatus mainly by
the shape of the elytral spots; the anterior one is trilobed and the posterior one
more or less transverse.
Sexual dimorphism: Males have the apical margin of the elytron rounded to slightly
oblique; females have the apical margin of the elytron strongly oblique (Fig. 254).
Distribution: Exclusively North American. In Canada the species is found from
Nova Scotia west to Manitoba and in British Columbia.
Economic importance: Less important as a pest than G. quadrisignatus, this
species is usually found in the field on fruit and vegetables already injured by
other insects or birds. Occasionally, it is also found in stored products. Aitken
(1975) recorded it from Canadian cargo ships carrying wheat.
Glischrochilus quadrisignatus (Say)
fourspotted sap beetle
nitidule à quatre points
Diagnosis: The species differs from G. fasciatus in having the anterior spot of
each elytron subquadrate and the posterior one more or less oval.
Sexual dimorphism: Sexes are externally similar.
Distribution: Exclusively North American. In Canada the species occurs from
Nova Scotia west to Manitoba and in British Columbia.
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