ARS | Publication request: A remarkable new species of Himalusa Pace from Thailand (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae): phytophagous aleocharine beetle with potential for bio-control of skunkvine-related weeds in the United States

Submitted to: ZooKeys
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 23, 2009
Publication Date: February 2, 2010
Citation: Klimaszewski, J., Pace, R., Center, T.D., Couture, J. 2010. Two remarkable new species of Himalusa Pace from Thailand (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae): phytophagous aleocharine beetles with potential for biological control of skunkvine weed in the United States. Zoo Keys. 35:1-12. doi:10.3897/zookeys.35.329

Interpretive Summary: Skunvine and sewervine are noxious weeds in the southeastern US. They smother over trees and other native vegetation by clambering over it much like the infamous kudzu. Both species have been introduced from Asia so we have been searching in that area to find natural enemies that might be used to control it. Two of the more interesting insect found feeding on it are new species of rove beetles, a family of beetles that usually are not plant feeders. Because they are new species, they had to be given names and, to be valid, a description of each species has to accompany the name. This paper provides these descriptions and names these species so that further study on the potential value as biological control agents can proceed.

Technical Abstract: Two new aleocharine species, Himalusa thailandensis Pace, Klimaszewski and Center sp. n., and Himalusa simulans Pace, Klimaszewski and Center sp. n., from Thailand, are described and illustrated. This is the first record of the genus Himalusa for Thailand. Himalusa was previously known from the Himalayan region in Nepal where it was originally described. New data on bionomics and distribution are provided, including discussion on potential use of some of these species in biological control of weeds in the United States. A short diagnosis, description, colour habitus image, and black and white genital images are provided. A key to all world species of Himalusa is also given. A new tribe Himalusini Klimaszewski, Pace, Center, is erected to accommodate Himalusa species.