Carabus auratus
Carabus auratus with prey
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
Genus: Carabus
Species:
C. auratus
Binomial name
Carabus auratus
Linnaeus, 1761
Carabus auratus

Carabus auratus, the golden ground beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the genus Carabus. This species is native to central and western Europe and has been introduced into North America.[1]

Description

The flightless beetle reaches a body length between 1.7 and 2.0 cm. The elytra, each marked with three broad longitudinal grooves, are an iridescent gold-green colour, as are the head and thorax. The legs, antennae and mouth parts are orange.

C. auratus is found in fields and amongst bushes, particularly on loamy soil. On occasion, it climbs into trees. Active during the day, it preys upon insects, snails, and worms, which it seizes with its mandibles and sprays with a digestive secretion before consuming it. C. auratus can be welcome to farmers and gardeners, as it feeds upon pests such as the Colorado potato beetle.

The larvae hunt only at dawn. They moult three times before pupating in the soil and then emerging as adults in the autumn. The beetles' life expectancy is around two years; they overwinter under the shelter of stones or moss.

Subspecies

  • Carabus auratus auratus Linnaeus, 1761
  • Carabus auratus honnoratii Dejean, 1826
  • Carabus auratus lasserrei Doué, 1855
  • Carabus auratus lotharingus Dejean, 1826
  • Carabus auratus piolitensis J.P.Thélot & G.Thélot, 2019

References

  1. Lewis, Jake H; Webster, Reginald P.; McAlpine, Donald F. (18 June 2015). "First Occurrence in Canada of Carabus auratus L.(Coleoptera: Carabidae), an Adventive Ground Beetleof European Origin". The Coleopterists Bulletin. 69 (2): 264–266. doi:10.1649/0010-065X-69.2.264 via BioOne.
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