Bembidion tetracolum
This record describes Bembidion tetracolum (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length: 5-6 mm. The head and pronotum are dark metallic green, elytra are dark brown but with lighter patches on the 'shoulders' and more diffusely near the apex. Antennae are dark with 3 pale basal segments. The pronotum is strongly contracted to the sharp hind angles. Found on almost any open, not too dry, soil - especially near water. Widespread and common throughout Britain.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Trechinae
- Tribe
- Bembidiini
- Genus
- Bembidion
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found on almost any open, not too dry, soil - especially near water.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and common throughout Britain.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Bembidion tetracolum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Bembidion tetracolum (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Bembidion tetracolum
What is Bembidion tetracolum?
Bembidion tetracolum is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Bembidion tetracolum?
5-6 mm. The head and pronotum are dark metallic green, elytra are dark brown but with lighter patches on the 'shoulders' and more diffusely near the apex. Antennae are dark with 3 pale basal segments. The pronotum is strongly contracted to the sharp hind angles.
Where is Bembidion tetracolum found?
Habitat: Found on almost any open, not too dry, soil - especially near water.