Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Ground beetle
(see article, hundreds)
in 14 Subfamilies
The ground beetles are a large family (Carabidae) of common and widespread beetles.
The family is among the largest of the animal kingdom, with about 40,000 species and considerable variation among them. Common features include a generally dark appearance, possibly iridescent, large head and mandibles, a pronounced marginal ridge on the pronotum, and striate elytra. Sizes range from 0.7 mm (0.03 inches) up to 66 mm (2.6 inches).
Ground beetles are found in all habitats and at up to 5,300 m (17,400 ft) in the Himalayas. Most are nocturnal predators and scavengers, but some, such as the tiger beetles are active in the daytime, using their eyesight to capture small arthropods.
Several types of ground beetles, in particular the bombardier beetles, are notable for being able to squirt a jet of hot foul-smelling liquid from their abdomens.
When the life cycle is known, it is one year, with adults living for two to four years.
They often feed on soft-bodied creatures and are sought after to control ant populations.
Some genera
- Abax Bon.
- Acinopus Latr.
- Acupalpus Latr.
- Agatus Motsch.
- Agonum Bon.
- Amara Bon.
- Amblystomus Er.
- Anisodactylus Dej.
- Anthracus Motsch.
- Apotomus Ill.
- Apristus Chaud.
- Aptinus Bon.
- Asaphidion Goz.
- Badister Clairv.
- Bembidion Latr.
- Blethisa Bon.
- Brachinus Wob.
- Bradycellus Er.
- Broscus Pz.
- Calathus Bon.
- Callisthenes F.-W.
- Callistus Bon.
- Calosoma Web.
- Carabus Thoms.
- Cardioderus Doj.
- Carterus Dej.
- Chlaenius Bon.
- Cicindela L.
- Clivina Latr.
- Corsyra Dej.
- Cyhrus F.
- Cymindis latr.
- Daptus F.-W.
- Deltomerus Motsch.
- Demetrias Bon.
- Diachila Motsch.
- Diachromus Er.
- Dichirotrichus Duv.
- Ditomus Bon.
- Dromius Bon.
- Drypta Latr.
- Duvaliopsis Jeann.
- Duvalius Delar.
- Dyschirius Bon.
- Elaphrus F.
- Eriotonus Pioch.
- Gynandromorphus Dej.
- Harpalobrachys Tschit.
- Harpalus Latr.
- Hemiaulax Bat.
- Laemostenus Bon.
- Lasiotrechus Cglb.
- Lebia Latr.
- Leistus Froel.
- Licinus Bon.
- Limnastis Motsch.
- Lionychus Wissm.
- Lorocera Latr.
- Masoreus Dej.
- Mastax F.-W.
- Metabletus Schm.-Goeb.
- Microlestes Schm.-Goeb.
- Miscodera Esch.
- Molops Bon.
- Nebria Latr.
- Notiophilus Dum.
- Odacantha Pk.
- Odontonyx Steph.
- Omophoron Latr.
- Oodes Bon.
- Ophonus Steph.
- Panagaeus Latr.
- Parophonus Cglb.
- Patrobus Pk.
- Pelophila Dej.
- Penthus Chd.
- Perileptus Schaum.
- Platyderus Steph.
- Pogonistes Chaud.
- Pogonus Nic.
- Polystichus Bon.
- Pseudaphaenops Winkl.
- Pterostichus Bon.
- Scarites F.
- Sphodrus Clairv.
- Stenolophus Dej.
- Stomis Clairv.
- Synuchus Cyll.
- TAchyta Kby.
- Tachys Steph.
- Taphoxenus Motsch.
- Thalassophilus Woll.
- Trachypachys Motsch.
- Trechoblemus Cglb.
- Trechus Clairv.
- Trichocellus Cglb.
- Trichotichnus A. Mor.
- Zabrus Clairv.
- Zuphium Latr.
- Zyras.
Reference
- E. 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
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