Ironclad ID: Tool for Diagnosing Ironclad and Cylindrical Bark Beetles (Coleoptera: Zopheridae) of North America north of Mexico
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Genus: Lyreus

Diagnostic Features
  • Description: Body extremely small. Antennae 11-segmented with a distinct, 2-segmented club. Antennal setation sparse, except for club densely setose. Subantennal grooves present, distinct, extending to rear of head. Eyes absent. Pronotal disc with large, irregular tubercles, lateral margins weakly serrate. Procoxal cavities narrowly open. Metacoxae narrowly separated, separation less than metacoxal length. Elytral smooth, with finely impressed striae. Tarsal formula 4-4-4. Dorsal surface covered in large, flattened, nearly contiguous tubercles. Body usually encrusted with dirt or debris.
  • Similar genera: The genus Lyreus is extremely distinctive and is not readily confused with other zopherid genera.
Known Distribution
  • Southeastern (AL) United States.
Biology
  • Lyreus alleni is known only from a limestone sinkhole in Alabama.

  • Abundance: Uncommon.
North American Species (1)

Lyreus alleni Ivie and Ślipiński, 2001

Discussion
  • The only other known species of Lyreus is European, creating an odd distribution for the genus.
Selected References  
Lyreus alleni
© N.P. Lord

 

© 2011-2015 Lord, N.P., Nearns, E.H., and K.B. Miller
The University of New Mexico and Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, USDA, APHIS, PPQ.