Beetles Identification Guide

ecorded on Canadian cargo ships carrying wheat, flour, soybean meal, and
beans (Aitken 1975).
Cryptophagus laticollis Lucas
Diagnosis: This Cryptophagus is distinctive among the species of the genus studied
here in having the eyes small, clearly conical, and somewhat flattened anteriorly.
Sexual dimorphism: Males have 4-segmented hind tarsi, females 5-segmented
ones (Fig. 244).
Distribution: Europe and introduced in western North America. The species is
known in this country in Alberta and British Columbia.
Economic importance: As stated for the family.
Cryptophagus obsoletus Reitter
Diagnosis: The species differs from the other Cryptophagus with single elytral
pubescence in having the anterior angle of the pronotum drawn out posteriorly
and the lateral margins only slightly convergent behind the lateral teeth. Typical
specimens of C. obsoletus are also different from those of most other Cryptophagus
dealt with here in having the dorsum of the body blackish, with yellowish to reddish
markings on the elytra, particularly at the shoulders and near the apex.
Sexual dimorphism: Males have 4-segmented hind tarsi, females 5-segmented
ones (Fig. 244).
Distribution: Palaearctic region and introduced in North America. In Canada
the species is known in Ontario and Manitoba.
Economic importance: As stated for the family.
Cryptophagus pilosus Gyllenhal
Diagnosis: This species is unusually variable, particularly the elytral pubescence,
which may be single (only short setae) or double (short and long setae).
Individuals with double elytral pubescence are recognizable in having
the anterior angle of the pronotum drawn out into a fine point posteriorly
and the lateral tooth located near the middle of the side. Those with single
pubescence resemble C. obsoletus but differ in having the lateral margins of
the pronotum more convergent toward the base and a usually uniformly reddish
brown elytral integument.
Adults of C. pilosus with single elytral pubescence are externally similar to
82