The+Most+Down+to+Earth+Beetle

=**Ground Beetles** (Carabidae)=

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Coleoptera Suborder: Adephaga Superfamily: Caraboidea Family: Carabidae Carabidae is a large family with 40,000 members, 2,000 of which can be found in North America.

Physical Description
Ground beetles will generally have shiny black or brown elytra with ridges and or bumps. The two elytra may be fused together along the mid-line ([|1]). They will also generally have long legs which have evolved because of their predatory tendencies. Many ground beetles have lost the ability to fly and thus have either reduced or completely absent hind wings. The larvae are long and slender and are generally carnivorous like their adult counterparts. Although some larvae do feed on seeds. Larvae feed on seeds or insects using sharp protruding mouth parts. Two bristly appendages protrude out of the posterior end of the larvae. Adults may have glands that produce a foul smelling liquid that can be sprayed at potential predators ([|1]). Because of their diversity it is hard to describe other physical traits that apply to the majority of the family.



Habitat
Ground Beetles are extremely successful and can be found in almost every terrestrial biosphere ([|1]). Ground beetles will run over flying, many species have lost the power of flight completely. Beetles will generally live under fallen trees, under rocks or sand near a river or pond. Most ground beetles and generalist feeders and will use their impressive speed to catch their prey. Some ground beetles have evolved to become specialized feeders. Promecognathus laevissimus only eats cyanide millipedes, most other predators cannot eat them because the cyanide produced naturally inside the millipede is poisonous. Ground beetles will generally prefer cool or moist areas generally in woodlands ([|1]) Beetles will however spillover out onto adjacent grassland to hunt but will generally return to the forest ([|2]). They will hide under rocks or litter during the day and come out at night to hunt for insects worms or snails ([|3]).

Interactions with Humans
Certain species of ground beetles are considered pests but others are used in pest control. An example of a ground beetle that is considered a pest is Zabrus-Tenebrioides. This species is one of the few beetles that have evolved to become herbivores. If allowed to they can destroys stores of food, specifically cereals and other vegetation stored in large quantities ([|4]). There are many more examples of ground beetles being a benefit to the ecosystem though. This is because of their predatory nature, ground beetles generally eat pests rather than being pests themselves. An example of beetles being used as pest control is Calosoma or caterpillar hunters. These beetles eat potentially harmful caterpillars at a voracious rate. Calosome can eat up to eight times their body weight in a single day ([|5]). Charles Darwin had a famous fondness for beetles and spent much of his early career collecting beetles. In one memorable moment, Darwin recounts in a letter to a friend that he had found two rare beetles and was holding one in each hand when he happened to spot a third. He placed one of the beetles in his mouth to catch the third. This beetle happened to be a bombardier beetle, a member of the Carabidae family. The beetle released its signature cloud of noxious smoke inside of Darwin's mouth. Needles to say Darwin lost all three of his rare beetles ([|6]).

Created by L. Lalire

Image Citations
1. Krasensky, Pavel. //Ground Beetle (Carabus Cancellatus)//. Digital image. //Naturephoto-cz.com//. N.p., 1 May 2008. Web. 8 Nov. 2013. .

2. Bugboy52.40. //Fiddler Beetle Morphology Diagram//. Digital image. //Wikipedia.com//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. .

3. //Charles Darwin Collecting Beetles//. Digital image. //The Beetle Darwin Couldn't Bare to Lose//. Darwin Correspondence Project, n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. .