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Harpalus
Harpalus cordifer
Harpalus nigritarsis
Carabidae overview
Key to genera
Key to species
Identification:
This is one of the largest carabid genera, having a uniform appearance and a stout body, broad prothorax and short legs. Penultimate segment of the labial palp with three or more setae; length of the first tarsomere on the metatarsus distinctly shorter than the combined lengths of the second and third tarsomeres; last tarsal segment setose underneath.
Range:
Paleartic, Nearctic, northern Oriental and eastern Afrotropical faunal regions.
Natural History:
Fifty-five species are found in North America, north of Mexico. These beetles are found in a variety of habitats from open, xeric country to mesic habitats in temperate and tropical regions. Many are herbivorous, feeding on seeds and pollen as adults; the larvae are carnivorous. Wings are well developed in most species, some of which are able flyers.
1a Elytra without dorsal puncture. H. cordifer
1b Elytra with one dorsal puncture in apical third of interval three, often adjoining striae of second interval. H. nigritarsis
References:
Kavanaugh, D. H. 1992. Carabid beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera: Carabidae) of the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. Memoirs of the California Academy of Sciences Number 16. California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, USA.
Lindroth, C. H. 1961-1969. The ground beetles (Carabidae excl. Cicindelinae) of Canada and Alaska. Parts 1-6. Opuscula Entomologica xlviii + 1192 pp.
Last updated Thursday, July 20, 2006, by Administrator
