Calosoma

Calosoma is a genus of large ground beetles that occur primarily throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and are referred to as caterpillar hunters or caterpillar searchers. Many of the 167 species are largely or entirely black, but some have bright metallic coloration. They produce a foul-smelling spray from glands near the tip of the abdomen. They are recognizable due to their large thorax, which is almost the size of their abdomen and much wider than their head.[1]

Calosoma
Calosoma sycophanta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
Tribe: Carabini
Genus: Calosoma
Weber, 1801
Subgenera
Callistenia Lapouge, 1929
Callisthenes Fischer von Waldheim, 1820
Callitropa Motschulsky, 1866
Calopachys Haury, 1880
Calosoma Weber, 1801
Camegonia Lapouge, 1924
Caminara Motschulsky, 1866
Campalita Motschulsky, 1866
Carabomimus Kolbe, 1895
Carabomorphus Kolbe, 1895
Carabophanus Kolbe, 1895
Carabops Jakobson, 1900
Carabosoma Géhin, 1885
Castrida Motschulsky, 1866
Charmosta Motschulsky, 1866
Chrysostigma Kirby, 1837
Ctenosta Motschulsky, 1866
Elgonorites Jeannel, 1940
Neocalosoma Breuning, 1927
Orinodromus Kolbe, 1895
Synonyms
  • Callisthenes
Calosoma planicolle
Calosoma senegalense
Calosoma scrutator by Alejandro Santillana "Insects Unlocked" Project, University of Texas at Austin

Calosoma has about 20 subgenera, including some former genera such as Callisthenes.[2][3]

History

In 1905, Calosoma sycophanta was imported to New England for control of the spongy moth. The species is a voracious consumer of caterpillars during both its larval stage and as an adult, as are other species in the genus. For this reason, they are generally considered beneficial insects. Several species of this beetle, most notably the black calosoma (Calosoma semilaeve) are especially common in the California area.

See also

References
  1. Powell & Hogue (1979), California Insects. p. 262.
  2. "Calosoma Weber, 1801". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  3. Bruschi, Sandro. "Calosoma of the World". Retrieved 2023-03-16.
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