Ophonus rufibarbis

(Fabricius, 1792)

Ophonus rufibarbis is a ground beetle in the Carabidae. It is black with brownish legs and , measuring 6.0–9.5 mm in length. The is phytophagous and has a broad distribution across Europe and the Near East. It has been introduced to North America and is protected in Flanders, Belgium.

Reitter Ophonus u.a. by wikipedia. Used under a Public domain license.Ophonus rufibarbis 01 by AfroBrazilian. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.Ophonus rufibarbis (Fabricius, 1792) (2935453930).png (2) by Udo Schmidt from Deutschland. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ophonus rufibarbis: /ˈo.fɔ.nus ˌru.fiˈbar.bis/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar ground beetles by the combination of black body with distinctly brownish (not black) legs and . The specific epithet 'rufibarbis' (red-bearded) refers to the reddish-brown coloration of the appendages. Size range overlaps with many ; examination of genitalia may be required for definitive identification.

Images

Appearance

Black body with brownish legs and . Length 6.0–9.5 mm.

Habitat

Arable fields, draining soils, hedgerows, lakeshores, and woodlands.

Distribution

Native to Europe and the Near East. Recorded from Belgium (Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia), (former) Yugoslavia, Albania, Armenia, and Afghanistan. Introduced to North America (Canada).

Diet

Phytophagous

Human Relevance

Protected in Flanders, Belgium since September 22, 1980. Introduced to North America, where it is considered non-native.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Ophonus speciesSimilar size and general form; distinguished by coloration of appendages and detailed examination of genitalia

More Details

Conservation status

Listed as protected in Flanders, Belgium as of September 22, 1980

Sources and further reading