First record of Mimogonus fumator (Fauvel, 1889) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Osoriinae) in the USA, with a synopsis of the Osoriinae of the Southeastern USA

Alessandra Pandolfi ¹, Sandor Kelly ², Ulrich Irmler ³

⁰University of Central Florida; Department of Biology; 4110 Libra Dr.; Orlando; FL 32816-2368 USA. alessandra.pandolfi@ucf.edu.

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December 8, 2024

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Summary

The first U.S. record of Mimogonus fumator, a pantropical insect, was found in Florida. This highlights the importance of urban insect monitoring for detecting non-native species transported via plants and soil.

Area Of Science

* Entomology
* Ecology
* Invasive Species Biology

Background

* Mimogonus fumator (Fauvel, 1889) is a pantropical insect species.
* Urban environments are potential pathways for the introduction of non-native species.
* Early detection of non-native insects is crucial for managing invasive species.

Purpose Of The Study

* To report the first U.S. record of Mimogonus fumator in Central Florida.
* To emphasize the role of urban insect monitoring in detecting non-native species.
* To provide taxonomic and distributional resources for Osoriinae in the Southeastern U.S.

Main Methods

* Field surveys in suburban Central Florida.
* Morphological identification of insect specimens.
* Compilation of existing data and literature review for distributional checklist.

Main Results

* Mimogonus fumator was discovered in a suburban area of Central Florida, marking its first U.S. record.
* The discovery underscores the potential for accidental introduction of pantropical species through horticultural trade.
* A taxonomic key and distributional checklist for Osoriinae in the Southeastern U.S. were developed.

Conclusions

* Urban insect monitoring is vital for identifying non-native species.
* Mimogonus fumator's presence in Florida highlights the need for vigilance against invasive species.
* The provided resources will aid in future insect fauna surveys and management efforts.