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Beetles within the [[Coleoptera]] family '''Carabidae''' are commonly known as '''ground beetles'''.
Beetles within the [[Coleoptera]] family '''Carabidae''' are commonly known as '''ground beetles'''.


Carabidae is a large family, with more than 20,000 species worldwide (approximately 2,200 of which reside in [[North America]]). Although there is some variation in their body shape and coloring, most are shiny, black (some are metallic), and have ridged [[elytra]] (wing covers). Ground beetles in the genus ''Brachinus'' are commonly known as [[bombardier beetle]]s; they are noted for their defensive ability to squirt a jet of hot foul-smelling liquid from their [[abdomen]]s. Ground beetles in the subfamily [[Cicindelinae]] are known as [[Tiger beetle]]s. Unlike most of the other species of Carabidae, which are [[nocturnal]], the Tiger beetles are active diurnal hunters.
Carabidae is a large family, with more than 20,000 species worldwide (approximately 2,200 of which reside in [[North America]]). Most species are carnivorous, and some will run swiftly to catch their prey. Although there is some variation in their body shape and coloring, most are shiny, black (some are metallic), and have ridged [[elytra]] (wing covers). Ground beetles in the genus ''Brachinus'' are commonly known as [[bombardier beetle]]s; they are noted for their defensive ability to squirt a jet of hot foul-smelling liquid from their [[abdomen]]s. Ground beetles in the subfamily [[Cicindelinae]] are known as [[Tiger beetle]]s. Unlike most of the other species of Carabidae, which are [[nocturnal]], the Tiger beetles are active diurnal hunters, and often brightly coloured. All species except the more primitive Paussini, have a groove on their front tibiae (leg) bearing a comb of hairs, for cleaning their antennae. Common habitats are under the bark of trees, under logs, or amongst rocks or sand by the edge of ponds and rivers.


Ground beetles of the species Promecognathus laevissimus are specialized predators of the millipede [[Harpaphe haydeniana]], countering the Hydrogen Cyanide defense mechanism used by the millipede.
Ground beetles of the species Promecognathus laevissimus are specialized predators of the millipede [[Harpaphe haydeniana]], countering the Hydrogen Cyanide defense mechanism used by the millipede.

Revision as of 09:17, 26 February 2007

Ground beetles
Golden Ground Beetle Carabus auratus
With earthworm prey
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Hexapoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Suborder:
Adephaga
Family:
Carabidae

Latreille, 1802
Genera

Many genera; see text.

Beetles within the Coleoptera family Carabidae are commonly known as ground beetles.

Carabidae is a large family, with more than 20,000 species worldwide (approximately 2,200 of which reside in North America). Most species are carnivorous, and some will run swiftly to catch their prey. Although there is some variation in their body shape and coloring, most are shiny, black (some are metallic), and have ridged elytra (wing covers). Ground beetles in the genus Brachinus are commonly known as bombardier beetles; they are noted for their defensive ability to squirt a jet of hot foul-smelling liquid from their abdomens. Ground beetles in the subfamily Cicindelinae are known as Tiger beetles. Unlike most of the other species of Carabidae, which are nocturnal, the Tiger beetles are active diurnal hunters, and often brightly coloured. All species except the more primitive Paussini, have a groove on their front tibiae (leg) bearing a comb of hairs, for cleaning their antennae. Common habitats are under the bark of trees, under logs, or amongst rocks or sand by the edge of ponds and rivers.

Ground beetles of the species Promecognathus laevissimus are specialized predators of the millipede Harpaphe haydeniana, countering the Hydrogen Cyanide defense mechanism used by the millipede.

  • Anthia sexguttata (India)
    Anthia sexguttata
    (India)
  • Six-spotted Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela sexguttata
    Six-spotted Green Tiger Beetle
    Cicindela sexguttata

Classification

An incomplete list of subfamilies and genera:

References

  • Edmund Reitter. Fauna Germanica. Käfer, 1908, I:67-201.
  • C. H. Lindroth. Svensk Insectenfauna 9, Coleoptera, Carabidae. Stockholm, 1942 : 1-260.
  • E. Csiki. Die Aäferfauna des Karpaten-Beckens. Budapest 1946, 1:71-546.
  • K. Kult. Klic k urcovani brouku celedi Carabidae Ceskoslovenske republiky. Praha 1947:1-198.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carabidae.
Wikispecies has information related to Carabidae.
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