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Pterostichus amethystinus
Carabidae overview >> Pterostichus overview
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Identification:
A striking, light black, medium sized species with body length less than 19.5 mm. Lateral margin of pronotum smooth or nearly so; elytron flat with a strong shoulder tooth and with distinct violet metallic reflection; microsculpture of prothorax with less transverse meshes than in P. algidus.
Range:
Found along the Pacific coast from northern California to Skagway, Alaska.
Natural History:
A true forest species occurring in dense, moist, coniferous forests, usually under logs. Found in elevations ranging from sea level to sub-alpine treelines.
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 Lisa Ferrier
