Brachyptery is an anatomical condition in which an animal has very reduced wings. Such animals or their wings may be described as "brachypterous". Another descriptor for very small wings is microptery. Brachypterous wings generally are not functional as organs of flight and often seem to be totally functionless and vestigial. In some species, however, flightless wings may have other functions, such as aposematic display in some Orthoptera and Phasmatodea. Brachyptery occurs commonly among insects. An insect species might evolve towards brachyptery by reducing its flight muscles and their associated energy demands, or by avoiding the hazards of flight in windy conditions on oceanic islands, in which flying insects are prone to drowning. Brachyptery also is common in ectoparasitic insects that have no use for wings, and inquiline insects with socially parasitic life strategies that do not require functional wings.
Pterostichus is a very large genus of ground beetles with a Holarctic distribution in the subfamily Harpalinae. It has over 1,200 species. The beetles are predatory, but sometimes feed on strawberries. They can be found under rocks and prefer slightly moist, sandy soil although preferences differ between species.
P. vernalis may refer to one of the following species:
Pterostichus morio is a species of ground beetles in the subfamily Pterostichinae.
Pterostichus honnoratii is a species of ground beetles belonging to the family Carabidae.
Trypocopris vernalis, known sometimes by the common name spring dumbledor or spring dor beetle, is a type of dung beetle. The beetle has a black color that shows nearly no reflectance in the near infrared part of the spectrum. The larva of Trypocopris vernalis feeds on dung of animals such as sheep and red foxes.
Pterostichus madidus, commonly known as the black clock beetle, is a species of ground beetle native to Europe. The black clock beetle typically grows between 14–20mm in length, and is black in colouration, with legs that are usually red, reddish brown, or black. It can be found most abundantly in summer, and breeds during the autumn. It is commonly found in gardens, grasslands, and dry woodland, under stones, in grass, or in loose bark.
Pterostichus melanarius, the Rain Beetle, is a type of carabid of the genus Coleoptera. It is native to Europe but is increasingly found in North America after being introduced to the region in the 1920s. It is a predatory beetle that eats invertebrate pests, which makes it a valuable pest control agent in agricultural settings. Additionally, the beetle has wing dimorphism which has contributed to its increasing distribution across North America.
Pterostichus aethiops is a species of ground beetle native to Europe.
Pterostichus anthracinus is a species of woodland ground beetle in the family Carabidae, native to Europe.
Pterostichus minor is a species of woodland ground beetle native to Europe.
Pterostichus lama or giant woodland ground beetle is a North American species of woodland ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington in the United States, and in British Columbia in Canada. These large, flightless black beetles have strong mandibles. They feed on termites and ants.
Pterostichus neobrunneus is a species of woodland ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.
Pterostichus protractus is a species of woodland ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.
Pterostichus costatus is a species of woodland ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in Europe and Northern Asia and North America.
Pterostichus gracilis is a species of woodland ground beetle native to Europe.
Pterostichus nigrita is a species of ground beetle native to Europe.
Pterostichus rhaeticus is a species of ground beetle native to Europe.
Pterostichus diligens is a species of ground beetle native to Europe.
