Anthicodes maculatus Wollaston

Spotted Ant-like Beetle (Anthicodes maculatus)

The genus Anthicodes currently contains about eight species, of which two (Anthicodes fragilis Woll. and Anthicodes maculatus) were found on the island of Saint Helena. Thomas Vernon Wollaston wrote about the Saint Helena spotted flower beetle in 1877 (Coleoptera Sanctae-Helenae).:  

The first spot in which I met with this robust and singular Anthicid is the Aster-grove [Commidendrum robustum ssp. gummiferum (Roxb.) Cronk] beyond West Lodge, on the inner slope of the great Sandy-Bay crater and overlooking Lufkins; and it was not until after the early summer rains, about the end of January, that it began to make its appearance more abundantly. At that time, however, it was found by Mrs. Wollaston and myself in comparative profusion, – at the edge of the tremendous precipice immediately above West Lodge, adhering to small pieces of stick which were lying on the exposed rocky soil, as well as on the only available portion of the almost inaccessible ground behind High Peak.”  

***

The species is most likely extinct today, as it could not be detected during any of the surveys of the last few years in its former range. 

*********************  

References:  

[1] T. Vernon Wollaston: Coleoptera Sanctae-Helenae. London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row 1877

*********************  

edited: 07.05.2021