Omus submetallicus
G.Horn, 1869
Lustrous Night-stalking Tiger Beetle, Smith's Brome
Omus submetallicus is a tiger in the , found in western North America. are active at night and have been observed hunting in intertidal zones, capturing amphipods at low tide. The species has historically been confused with Omus californicus lecontei, leading to taxonomic uncertainty and unclear conservation status. Two are recognized: O. submetallicus submetallicus and O. submetallicus niger.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Omus submetallicus: /ˈoʊməs ˌsʌbmɛtəˈlɪkəs/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar Omus by subtle morphological characters; historically confused with Omus californicus lecontei. Accurate identification requires examination of male genitalia and comparison with . The two (nominotypical and niger) differ in coloration and geographic distribution.
Habitat
Associated with forested and montane in western North America. Larval burrows have been observed in the Sierra Nevada. have been documented hunting in coastal tide pools at low tide in Mendocino County, California.
Distribution
Western North America; specifically documented from California (including Mendocino headlands and Sierra Nevada) and potentially other Pacific coastal states. The exact range remains poorly defined due to historical taxonomic confusion with Omus californicus lecontei.
Seasonality
have been collected from May through September. Peak activity likely varies with elevation and local climate conditions.
Life Cycle
Larval development occurs in burrows; specific duration unknown. Larvae possess three pairs of hooks on the fifth abdominal segment (outer, middle, and inner), a characteristic of the Omus that distinguishes them from other North American tiger genera which have lost the outer pair.
Behavior
; hunt actively at night. Documented feeding includes capturing amphipods in intertidal zones at low tide. Adults have been observed emerging from bluffs to forage in tide pools, where they are vulnerable to by shore crabs (Pachygrapsus crassipes).
Ecological Role
in forest floor and intertidal . Serves as prey for shore crabs in coastal .
Human Relevance
Subject of taxonomic research due to confusion with related . Potential for forest health, though insufficient data exist to assess conservation status accurately.
Similar Taxa
- Omus californicus leconteiHistorically confused with O. submetallicus; separation requires detailed morphological examination and reference to
- Omus californicus californicusRelated within the O. californicus complex that occurs in overlapping geographic range
More Details
Taxonomic History
The was described by G.H. Horn in 1869. A 2010 study in The Coleopterists Bulletin addressed the distribution and conservation status of O. submetallicus and its confusion with O. californicus lecontei, though full details remain unpublished in the provided sources.
Subspecies
Two are recognized: Omus submetallicus submetallicus (nominotypical) and Omus submetallicus niger Horn, 1868.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Catalogue of Life
- A rare opportunity to do fall insect collecting in western North America | Beetles In The Bush
- Diversity in Tiger Beetle Larval Burrows | Beetles In The Bush
- Amblycheila cylindriformis on white | Beetles In The Bush
- How to collect larvae of Amblycheila cylindriformis | Beetles In The Bush
- The Coleopterists Bulletin | Beetles In The Bush
- Distribution and Conservation Status ofOmus submetallicusG. Horn and Its Confusion withOmus californicus leconteiG. Horn (Coleoptera: Carabidae)
- Thermal Requirements of Ooencyrtus submetallicus (Hym.: Encyrtidae) and Telenomus podisi (Hym.: Platygastridae) Parasitizing Euschistus heros Eggs (Hem.: Pentatomidae)