Evergreen Natural History Database

Identification:
Pterostichus is one of the largest genera in the Carabid family, with over 200 species in 25 subgenera. Members vary in size but usually have a uniform appearance, being stout with short appendages. Mentum tooth emarginate at apex (except for honestus group); inner lobe of the maxilla prolonged into a heavily sclerotized, arched, inwardly directed tooth which appears hooked; terminal segment of all palpi cylindrical or fusiform; antennae pubescent from and including the fourth segment; prothorax with single or double laterobasal fovea and with two lateral setae; elytral epipleura crossed. Most species with abbreviated scutellar stria with an ocellate puncture at its base; first metatarsal segment usually with external furrow.

Range:
Holarctic

Natural History:
Variation in habitats wide; species are hygrophilous. Majority live independently of open water; some xerophilous, inhabiting open country such as prairie and tundra; others pronounced forest insects. Within the genus there are true subterraneous forms with depigmented cuticle and reduced or lacking eyes.

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.