Conservation Status
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Not of concern; a common species in Alberta.
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Cyclicity
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Adults fly in spring and early summer (Johnson 2000) and have been collected in Alberta from April t
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Distribution
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The range of this species in North America is extensive, from Labrador to Pribilof Island of Alaska and from northern Alaska to central California and southern New York (El-Moursy 1970).
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General Description
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Length greater than 6.5 mm. Body form oval, convex, blackish-brown in colour and lacklustre with short, dense pubescence (Casey 1912). Labrum semicircular (El-Moursy 1970) and first antennomere black (Downie et al. 1996). Apical one fourth of each elytra with large transverse black spot extending from lateral margin to near mid line (El-Moursy 1970 and LeConte 1854). Elytral punctures small and dense but separated (Johnson 1991). Elytra broad and obtusely rounded posteriorly (El-Moursy 1970). Male genitalia with median lobe tapered near apex and parameres laterally curved at apex (El-Moursy 1970). Female genitalia presently unidentifiable (Hatch 1961). Larvae with large hypognathous head (head and mouth directed ventrally) with distinctive ventral epicranial ridges and 6 well-separated stemmata. Similar in body form to larvae of Chrysomelidae but with distinct lacinia and articulated galea (Lawrence 1991).
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Habitat
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Adults are often found in mosses, in moist sand or soil and under logs and stones (El-Moursy 1961).
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Life Cycle
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Adults are occasionally found in the soil of young trees in nurseries (Lawrence 1991 and Lawrence et al. 2000) and sometimes as washup or windblown drift on beaches (Johnson 2000). Larvae burrow under moss layers and underlying substrate (Johnson 2000). When disturbed, adults pull in their appendages and remain motionless. This behaviour creates the appearance of a small pebble or pill, hence the common name (El-Moursy 1961).
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Trophic Strategy
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Both adults and larvae herbivorous on the leaves and rhizoids of mosses and liverworts (El-Moursy 1961 and Lawrence et al. 2000).
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Byrrhus kirbyi
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Byrrhus kirbyi: Brief Summary
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Byrrhus kirbyi is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae. It is found in North America.
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