Calosoma

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Calosoma
Calosoma.sycophanta.-.calwer.04.09.jpg
Calosoma sycophanta
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
Tribe: Carabini
Genus: Calosoma
Weber, 1801
Subgenera
BlaptosomaGehin, 1876
CallisphaenaMotschulsky, 1859
CallisteniaLapouge, 1929
CallisthenesFischer von Waldheim, 1820
CallitropaMotschulsky, 1866
CalopachysHaury, 1880
CalosomaWeber, 1801
CaminaraMotschulsky, 1866
CampalitaMotschulsky, 1866
CarabomimusKolbe, 1895
CarabomorphusKolbe, 1895
CarabophanusKolbe, 1895
CarabopsJakobson, 1900
CarabosomaGéhin, 1885
CastridaMotschulsky, 1866
CharmostaMotschulsky, 1866
ChrysostigmaKirby, 1837
CtenostaMotschulsky, 1866
ElgonoritesJeannel, 1940
MicrocallisthenesApfelbeck, 1918
NeocalosomaBreuning, 1927
OrinodromusKolbe, 1895
TeratexisSemenov & Znojko, 1933
Synonyms
List
  • CallisomaAgassiz, 1846 (Unj. Emend.)
  • CalamataMotschulsky, 1865
  • CallistrigaMotschulsky, 1865
  • CalliparaMotschulsky, 1866
  • CallistrataMotschulsky, 1866
  • CamedulaMotschulsky, 1866
  • CalodrepaMotschulsky, 1866
  • CampolytaMotschulsky, 1866
  • CosmoplataMotschulsky, 1866
  • EutelodontumGehin, 1881
  • AulacopterumGehin, 1885
  • TapinosthenesKolbe, 1895
  • CalisterReitter, 1896
  • AcamegoniaLapouge, 1924
  • CamegoniaLapouge, 1924
  • IsosteniaLapouge, 1929
  • MicrocalosomaBreuning, 1927
  • ParacalosomaBreuning, 1927
  • SyncalosomaBreuning, 1927
  • AcampalitaLapouge, 1929
  • AustralodrepaLapouge, 1929
  • CatasomaLapouge, 1929
  • CatastrigaLapouge, 1929
  • EremosomaLapouge, 1929
  • LyperosteniaLapouge, 1929
  • ParatropaLapouge, 1929
  • AcalosomaLafer, 1989/1990
Calosoma planicolle Calosoma planicolle Chaudoir, 1869 (3586591230) (2).jpg
Calosoma planicolle
Calosoma senegalense Calosoma senegalense Dejean, 1831 (3887607030).jpg
Calosoma senegalense
Calosoma scrutator by Alejandro Santillana "Insects Unlocked" Project, University of Texas at Austin Calosoma scrutator by Alejandro Santillana "Insects Unlocked" Project.jpg
Calosoma scrutator by Alejandro Santillana "Insects Unlocked" Project, University of Texas at Austin

Calosoma is a genus of large ground beetles that occur primarily throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and are referred to as caterpillar hunters or caterpillar searchers. Many of the 167 species are largely or entirely black, but some have bright metallic coloration. They produce a foul-smelling spray from glands near the tip of the abdomen. They are recognizable due to their large thorax, which is almost the size of their abdomen and much wider than their head. [1]

Contents

Calosoma has about 20 subgenera, including some former genera such as Callisthenes. [2] [3]

History

In 1905, Calosoma sycophanta was imported to New England for control of the spongy moth. The species is a voracious consumer of caterpillars during both its larval stage and as an adult, as are other species in the genus. For this reason, they are generally considered beneficial insects. Several species of this beetle, most notably the black calosoma (Calosoma semilaeve) are especially common in the California area.

See also

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<i>Calosoma inquisitor</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Calosoma sayi</i> Species of beetle

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References

  1. Powell & Hogue (1979), California Insects. p. 262.
  2. "Calosoma Weber, 1801". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  3. Bruschi, Sandro. "Calosoma of the World" . Retrieved 2023-03-16.