Philonthus flavolimbatus Erichson (Fig. 17) Diagnosis (based on Chani-Posse 2010). Philonthus flavolimbatus may be identified by the coloration pattern of elytra, castaneous-brunneous to castaneous-piceous and yellowish medio-apically, and the distance separating medial interocular punctures on frons about 2.5 times as large as distance separating medial punctures from lateral punctures. It differs from other southern South American species of Philonthus by the eyes as long as temples, the antennal segments 2 and 3 subequal in length, and the first segment of hind tarsus as long as segments 2 and 3 combined, and longer than last segment. Length 4.5–5.5 mm. Distribution. Philonthus flavolimbatus is widely distributed from Latin America through Caribbean islands, and North America where it occurs mainly in the southern portion of the continent (Smetana 1995). Bionomics. Philonthus flavolimbatus is a common species in cattle droppings, where it may occur in high abundance, preying upon immature flies (e.g., Hu & Frank 1997; Guimarães & Mendes 1998; Cabrera-Walsh & Chani-Posse 2003). Smetana (1995) also cited this species from other organic debris.

Published as part of Aballay, Fernando H., Chani-Posse, Mariana R., Ayón, María Rosana, Maldonado, María Belén & Centeno, Néstor D., 2014, An illustrated key to and diagnoses of the species of Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) associated with decaying carcasses in Argentina, pp. 101-124 in Zootaxa 3860 (2) on page 117, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3860.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/229557