Distribution and biology of the ectoparasitic beetles Leptinillus validus (Horn) and L. aplodontiae Ferris of North America (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Platypsyllinae)

Authors

Stewart B. Peck, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

Date of this Version

April 2007

Comments

Insecta Mundi, published by the Center for Systematic Entomology, is available online at http://centerforsystematicentomology.org/. Copyright © by S. Peck.

Abstract

The distribution and biology of the beetles Leptinillus validus (Horn) and L. aplodontiae Ferris are summarized for North America. The beetles are ectoparasitic on rodents; L. validus on the beaver, Castor canadensis Linnaeus (Castoridae) throughout the northern part of its range, and L. aplodontiae on the mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa (Rafinesque) (Aplodontidae) in the Pacific Northwest.