The genus Enoclerus Gahan (Coleoptera: Cleridae) in temperate climate forest stands of Mexico

The genus Enoclerus (Coleoptera: Cleridae) is composed of predatory beetles predominately found inhabiting tropical and subtropical regions of the New World. A small number of species have adapted to occupy temperate ecosystems characterized by a floral component of coniferous trees in combination with other broad-leaved species. Members of this group are important natural predators of bark and ambrosia beetles, where in combination with a specific complex of natural enemies, they may be an important source of mortality for bark and ambrosia beetles, and hence, prevent overpopulation. These species have been scarcely studied and little is known about their distribution, predation preferences and habitats. Six species were found using Lindgren traps laced with frontaline, turpentine and resin. Traps were placed in 12 different temperate forest climate localities in montane regions of four states of Mexico. Enoclerus ablusus, E. arachnodes and E. erro were the most common and widespread species, while E. aethiops, E. moestus and E. nigricans were less abundant and found in fewer localities. Information regarding prey and hosts, prey relative density, predator preferences and new distributional records of these Mexican montane clerids is also presented here.

Key words: Dendroctonus, frontaline, terpene, distributional record, predator, Lindgren trap.