Harpalus puncticeps

(Casey, 1914)

Harpalus puncticeps is a of ground beetle in the Carabidae, Harpalinae. The species was described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1914. Taxonomic records indicate some nomenclatural complexity, with the species also referenced under Stephens (1828) as Glanodes puncticeps in some databases. It is currently classified within the Harpalus, though some sources list it under the subgenus Ophonus (Metophonus).

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Harpalus puncticeps: //ˈhɑːrpələs ˈpʌŋktɪˌsɛps//

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Distribution

Records indicate presence in the United States, specifically in Vermont. The is part of the North American fauna of ground beetles.

Misconceptions

There is taxonomic confusion regarding the authority of this name. Some sources (e.g., Catalogue of Life) attribute the name to Stephens (1828) with basionym Glanodes puncticeps and list Harpalus puncticeps (Casey, 1914) as a synonym, while other sources (e.g., GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia) accept Casey (1914) as the valid authority. This discrepancy likely reflects ongoing taxonomic revision and database synchronization issues rather than biological uncertainty.

More Details

Taxonomic Nomenclature

The exhibits complex nomenclatural history with competing authority attributions. NCBI lists the authority as (Stephens, 1828) with basionym Glanodes puncticeps, while GBIF and most modern sources accept (Casey, 1914). The Catalogue of Life currently treats the Casey name as a synonym of the Stephens name, though this may not reflect current taxonomic consensus.