Vivid Metallic Ground Beetles
Chlaenius
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Adephaga
- Family: Carabidae
- Subfamily: Harpalinae
- Supertribe: Pterostichitae
- Tribe: Chlaeniini
- Genus: Chlaenius
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Chlaenius: /ˈkleɪ.ni.əs/
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Images
Summary
Chlaenius is a large and diverse genus of ground beetles with about 1,000 recognized species, primarily found in the Oriental and Afrotropical regions. The genus is known for its vivid metallic coloration and predatory behavior.
Physical Characteristics
8-23 mm pronotum punctate; dorsum pubescent, often with vivid metallic coloration.
Habitat
Usually moist areas, some semiaquatic.
Distribution
Native to the Palearctic realm (including Europe, the Near East, and North Africa), Afrotropical realm, and Nearctic realm.
Diet
Predatory.
Life Cycle
Presumably most species have one generation per year, with adults overwintering to breed in spring.
Reproduction
Some species lay eggs in mud cells placed on the undersides of leaves or twigs. Cell morphology can be distinctive for a species.
Health Concerns
Smell foul when disturbed.
Collecting Methods
- Come to lights.
Tags
- Chlaenius
- ground beetles
- Coleoptera
- predators