| abstract | Seven species of Carabodes (brevi Banks, denroetus Reeves, higginsi n.sp., willmanni Bernini, granulatus Banks, niger Banks and labrynthicus (Michael)) were collected from spruce and fir branches using the caustic soda wash technique. A redescription of C. brevis, a description of C. higginsi and distribution within North America for each species is included. Comparisons of branch samples with leaf litter/rotten wood samples from the forest floor clearly show that C. breviand C. dendroetus prefer arboreal habitats. Additional evidence from literature and other collections indicate that C. granulatus, C. labrynthicus and C. niger may be arboreal depending on the presence of lechens, moss or fungi but C. willmanni maybe arboreal only where lichens are present. Habitat preferences for C higginsi could not be determined except that most specimens were collected in association with conifers. |