Calosoma | |
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Calosoma sycophanta | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Carabidae |
Tribe: | Carabini |
Genus: | Calosoma Weber, 1801 |
Subgenera | |
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Synonyms | |
List
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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]
Calosoma has about 20 subgenera, including some former genera such as Callisthenes. [2] [3]
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.
Ground beetles are a large, cosmopolitan family of beetles, the Carabidae, with more than 40,000 species worldwide, around 2,000 of which are found in North America and 2,700 in Europe. As of 2015, it is one of the 10 most species-rich animal families. They belong to the Adephaga. Members of the family are primarily carnivorous, but some members are herbivorous or omnivorous.
Anthia is a genus of the ground beetle family (Carabidae) from Africa and Asia. Species of Anthia can spray a jet of formic acid up to 30 centimetres (12 in), which, if not treated, can cause blindness in animals that harass the beetles.
Chilocorus stigma, commonly known as the twice-stabbed ladybug, is a native resident of the United States and Canada. It also has been introduced to Hawaii. It is shiny black, and there is one red spot on each elytron. The remainder of the body is black as well, but the abdomen is either yellow or red. It is sometimes confused with the "two-stabbed lady beetle", Chilocorus orbus, which is widespread in California.
Calosoma sycophanta, the forest caterpillar hunter, is a species of ground beetle belonging to the family Carabidae.
The rose robin is a small passerine bird native to Australia. Like many brightly coloured robins of the Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic. The male has a distinctive pink breast. Its upperparts are dark grey with white frons, and its tail black with white tips. The underparts and shoulder are white. The female is an undistinguished grey-brown. The robin has a small black bill and eyes.
Calosoma inquisitor is a species of ground beetle. The species is found in northern Africa, Europe and East to Asia Minor, Iran and the Caucasus, with isolated populations in eastern Siberia and Japan.
Alsophila pometaria, the fall cankerworm, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found in North America from Nova Scotia west to Alberta, south to Colorado and California and zones of Spain
Calosoma scrutator, also known as the fiery searcher and caterpillar hunter, is a species of ground beetle belonging to the genus Calosoma, subgenus Acalosoma. This beetle can be as large as 35 millimetres (1.4 in) long. The distribution of this species is relatively widespread, and is common in North America. The adult beetle is known to excrete a foul-smelling oil when it is handled. The oil has been described as smelling similar to rotten milk or rancid olive oil.
Megalodacne is a genus of fungivorous beetles in the family Erotylidae.
Carabinae is a subfamily of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, containing ten genera and over fourteen hundred described species. It has two tribes, the Cychrini Laporte (1834) and Carabini Latreille (1802). The latter is divided into two subtribes, the Carabina Latreille (1802) and Ceroglossina Vacher de Lapouge (1927).
Tefflus is a genus of large, black and flightless Afrotropical ground beetles in the tribe Panagaeini. They are broadly similar to the Anthiini ('oogpisters'), but are not colourful, and have a six-sided and flattish pronotum. The distinct longitudinal carinae (ridges) on their elytra are separated by two rows of punctures running along the striae (grooves). Males have some segments of the forelegs enlarged.
Calosoma abbreviatum, short caterpillar hunter, is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily of Carabinae. It was described by Chaudoir in 1869 and is found in Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Calosoma calidum is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily of Carabinae. It was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. It occurs throughout Canada and the northern and eastern parts of the United States. About 19mm to 27mm long, this beetle is black with rows of red or gold spots or pits on its elytra. It can be found in fields and disturbed habitats. Larvae and adults prey upon moth caterpillars.
Calosoma frigidum, also known as the cold-country caterpillar hunter, is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae. It was first described by William Kirby in 1837. Occurring throughout southern Canada and the United States, it is about 16mm to 27mm long and black, with rows of pits or dots along its elytra. These pits are an iridescent blue/green, and larger than the pits of many other Calosoma species. It can be found in wooded areas and is active at night, while hiding under debris by day. Increased soil temperature, such as that caused by forest fire, is known to cause adult C. frigidum beetles to leave their burrows.
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Calosoma sayi, also known as "Say's caterpillar hunter or "Black Caterpillar Hunter", is a species of ground beetle of the subfamily Carabinae. It was described by Pierre François Marie Auguste Dejean in 1826. A large, lustrous black beetle found throughout the United States, its habitat is fields and disturbed areas. About 25mm to 28mm long, its grooved elytra have rows of metallic dots or pits. Said pits are smaller than many Calosoma, and are ruby red. Both larvae and adults prey upon other larvae and pupae, specifically those of grubs, flies, and lepidoptera.
The western corsair is a species of assassin bug and is one of the two species of "two spotted corsairs", the other being Rasahus biguttatus. The adults have an orange and black body and an orange spot on each wing. They feed primarily on other insects and after dark are attracted to bright lights. Unlike most of the other assassin bugs, the bite of the western corsair can be extremely painful.
Carabini is a tribe of ground beetles in the subfamily Carabinae. There are 4 genera and more than 1,100 described species in Carabini.
Chilocorus orbus is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to North America. It is a black, domed beetle with two large red spots and is commonly called the twice-stabbed lady beetle or the two-stabbed lady beetle. Both adults and larvae feed on scale insects.
Pacificanthia consors, also known as the brown leatherwing beetle, is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is found in North America, mainly in California. Adults are 14-19 mm in length. They are orange with brown wing covers, and the legs are reddish with black markings. Adults are mostly commonly on the wing in April and May. Adult beetles and their larva both spend most of their time in plant litter where they prey on other soil fauna.