Biodiversity of Bariditae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Conoderinae) in Mississippi

ABSTRACT A survey of Bariditae in Mississippi resulted in 75 species in 32 genera and included two undescribed species and 36 new state records. An additional two species were recognized as possibly occurring in Mississippi. Diagnoses for all of the genera and species in the state are provided, and keys to the genera as well as all of the species were made. Species were found in every county within Mississippi and are representative of the Bariditae fauna of the southeastern United States. Open, prairie-like habitats and aquatic wetlands were the habitats with the highest biodiversity of Bariditae in the state. Species of Baris, Geraeus, Linogeraeus, and Odontocorynus were found in the highest numbers, and Linogeraeus and Sibariops were found to be the most speciose genera in the state. Sibariops amica, S. benigna, and S. houstoni, are proposed as new synonyms of S. concinna. New state records are included for Mississippi as well as Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisisna, Maryland, Missouri, North Caolina, and Tennessee.