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''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
Ground beetles of the genus ''Calosoma'' (Carabidae): atlas of beetles of Russia
* * Powell & Hogue (1979), California Insects. p. 262.
Susan Mahr,University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Forest Caterpillar Hunter
BioLib.cz. {{Taxonbar, from=Q1317479 Calosoma Carabidae genera Insects used as insect pest control agents
''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 gland
In animals, a gland is a group of cells in an animal's body that synthesizes substances (such as hormones) for release into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland).
Structure
De ...
s 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.Powell & Hogue (1979), California Insects. p. 262.
History
In 1905, ''Calosoma sycophanta
''Calosoma sycophanta'', the forest caterpillar hunter, is a species of ground beetle belonging to the family Carabidae.
Subspecies and varietas
* ''Calosoma sycophanta var. severum'' Chaudoir, 1850
* ''Calosoma sycophanta var. nigrocyaneum' ...
'' was imported to New England for control of the gypsy 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
*List of Calosoma species
This is a list of 188 species in the genus ''Calosoma'', caterpillar hunters.
''Calosoma'' species
* '' Calosoma abbreviatum'' Chaudoir, 1869
* '' Calosoma abyssinicum'' Gestro, 1880
* '' Calosoma aethiopicum'' Breuning, 1928
* '' Calosoma aethi ...
References
* Friedrich Weber 1801: ''Obs. Ent''., 20; Fabricius 1801, ''Syst. Eleuth''., 1: 211.Ground beetles of the genus ''Calosoma'' (Carabidae): atlas of beetles of Russia
* * Powell & Hogue (1979), California Insects. p. 262.
External links
* *Susan Mahr,University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Forest Caterpillar Hunter
BioLib.cz. {{Taxonbar, from=Q1317479 Calosoma Carabidae genera Insects used as insect pest control agents