Species Details

Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

SeasonalityMore abundant in early spring but active throughout summer and fall. IdentificationThe head and thorax of the O. cingulatus larvae are dark brown-red and the abdomen is dirty-brown color (Voris, 1939). The mature larvae can reach 25mm long and 4mm wide. The adult size range is between 13-18 mm but can reach up to 21mm. The brown body of O.cingulatus is irregularly marked with spots of heavy dark pubescence (Downie and Arnett, 1996). The tip of the abdomen is densely covered with golden-yellowish pubescence which also covers the metasternum (Downie and Arnett, 1996). Like for the other species of the genus Ontholestes, the anterior angles of the prontum are extended and angular, quite pointed (Smetana and Davies, 2000). Most of the leg is reddish-brown with the femora darker and the apex and the lateral edge usually lighter but variable (Smetana and Davies, 2000). The tarsal formula is 5-5-5. The dark red antennae have 11 segments with the last obliquely notched.

Scientific Name Ontholestes cingulatus Habitat Woodland area but also open field. Adults and larvae are found on carrion, dung and decaying organic material (Arnett and Thomas, 2000). Seasonality More abundant in early spring but active throughout summer and fall. Identification
The head and thorax of the O. cingulatus larvae are dark brown-red and the abdomen is dirty-brown color (Voris, 1939). The mature larvae can reach 25mm long and 4mm wide. The adult size range is between 13-18 mm but…
The head and thorax of the O. cingulatus larvae are dark brown-red and the abdomen is dirty-brown color (Voris, 1939). The mature larvae can reach 25mm long and 4mm wide. The adult size range is between 13-18 mm but can reach up to 21mm. The brown body of O.cingulatus is irregularly marked with spots of heavy dark pubescence (Downie and Arnett, 1996). The tip of the abdomen is densely covered with golden-yellowish pubescence which also covers the metasternum (Downie and Arnett, 1996). Like for the other species of the genus Ontholestes, the anterior angles of the prontum are extended and angular, quite pointed (Smetana and Davies, 2000). Most of the leg is reddish-brown with the femora darker and the apex and the lateral edge usually lighter but variable (Smetana and Davies, 2000). The tarsal formula is 5-5-5. The dark red antennae have 11 segments with the last obliquely notched.
Life History
Two or three days before pupation, the larva forms a nest-like cavity in a substrate like dung or soil, encloses itself in it and pupates (Voris, 1939). The pupal period varies between 10 to 14 days (Voris, 1939). …
Two or three days before pupation, the larva forms a nest-like cavity in a substrate like dung or soil, encloses itself in it and pupates (Voris, 1939). The pupal period varies between 10 to 14 days (Voris, 1939). Males of the species O. cingulatus were shown to exhibit an adaptive mate-guarding behavior. The male O. cingulatus stays close to the female after copulation while she oviposits to avoid fertilization from other males (Alcock, 1991). If threatened, O.cingulatus will bring the tip of its abdomen in contact with the threat and release a chemical defense.
Conservation Abundant. Diet Info A predator of flies associated with dung and carrion but also attracted to other decaying organic matter such as fungi, fruits and vegetables. Range Widespread and common in eastern and northwestern North America.
Ontholestes cingulatus
Ontholestes cingulatus

Citation

Page Citation for Ontholestes cingulatus

Page Citation

"Species Details - Ontholestes cingulatus, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-5436. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Bourassa, S.
Role species page author
Date 2004

References

Specimen Information

There are 37 specimens of this Species.

37 results plotted on map in 19 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM73426 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Quebec, Knowlton Collected ByFisk, G. H. Date Collected1928-07-10

UASM73427 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Hat Collected ByCarr, F. S. Date Collected1928-08-11

UASM73428 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByCarr, F. S. Date Collected1920-06-15

UASM73429 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New Jersey, Warren county, Phillipsburg Date Collected1918-05-26

UASM73432 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Leduc Collected ByCarr Date Collected1914-05-25

UASM73433 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Quebec, Montreal Collected ByChagnon, W.

UASM73434 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New Jersey, Warren county, Phillipsburg Date Collected1918-05-26

UASM73435 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Massachusetts, Suffolk county, Boston Date Collected1916-08-02

UASM73436 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByCarr, F. S. Date Collected1915-05-22

UASM73437 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New York, Tompkins county, Ithaca Date Collected1944-05-12

UASM73438 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New York, Tompkins county, Ithaca Date Collected1944-05-12

UASM73439 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New York, Wayne county Collected ByBall, G. E. Date Collected1947-06-23

UASM73440 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New York, Tompkins county, Ithaca Collected ByBall, G. E. Date Collected1947-05-28

UASM73441 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Birds Hill Collected ByRoberts, L. A. Date Collected1924-06-15

UASM73442 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wabamun Collected ByStrickland, E. H. Date Collected1936-08-05

UASM73443 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New Jersey, Warren county, Phillipsburg Date Collected1918-05-26

UASM73444 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cypress Hills Date Collected1925-06-03

UASM73445 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New Jersey, Warren county, Phillipsburg Date Collected1918-05-26

UASM73446 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New Jersey, Warren county, Phillipsburg Date Collected1918-05-26

UASM73447 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: New Jersey, Passaic county, Midvale Date Collected1924-05-18

UASM73448 - Ontholestes cingulatus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Virginia, Bath county, Alex Run Date Collected1902-06-07

Adult Seasonal Distribution