Scarites

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Adephaga
Family: Carabidae
Subfamily: Scaritinae
Tribe: Scaritini
Genus: Scarites

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Scarites: /skæˈraɪtiːz/

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

Images

Scarites quadriceps by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Scarites Beetle - Scaries quadriceps or vicinus, Woodbridge, Virginia by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Scarites subterraneus 401384284 by Matthew Lindsey. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Scarites subterraneus 401384287 by Matthew Lindsey. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Scarites subterraneus 401384260 by Matthew Lindsey. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Kaldari Scarites subterraneus 01 by Kaldari. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Scarites is a genus of ground beetles predominantly found in North America and parts of the world, known for their predatory nature and distinctive physical features that can confuse them with unrelated beetle families.

Physical Characteristics

Scarites beetles exhibit physical traits resembling tropical stag beetles, including a body length of 14-30 mm. Key identifying features include the shape and width of antennomeres, body proportions, and noticeable differences in size between the two most common species, S. subterraneus and S. vicinus.

Identification Tips

Distinguishing between S. subterraneus and S. vicinus can typically be done by size: S. subterraneus has a body length <20 mm and elytron <10 mm, while S. vicinus generally has a body length >20 mm and elytron >10 mm. For sex determination, measuring the head width (H) versus shoulder width (S) is reliable (♀ ≤ 0.96 ≤ ♂).

Habitat

Scarites species are commonly found under loose rocks and boards, usually in moist or sandy soil.

Distribution

The genus Scarites is widely distributed in the Palearctic, Near East, North America, and North Africa, with more than 190 described species globally, and over 55 described species in India.

Diet

Adult Scarites beetles are predators, often observed overpowering prey larger than themselves, including mealworms.

Ecosystem Role

These beetles play a role in controlling pest populations as they are predators of other insects.

Collecting Methods

Hand collection under rocks and boards
Pitfall traps

Preservation Methods

Pinning
Alcohol preservation

Evolution

The genus Scarites has undergone taxonomic revisions with recent phylogenetic studies suggesting close relationships within the Carabidae family, and ongoing morphological scrutiny and genetic analysis is anticipated for further clarifications.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Despite their appearance, Scarites are not closely related to stag beetles, and their behavior of 'playing dead' can often lead to misidentification as hapless insects.