Bembidion versicolor
This record describes Bembidion versicolor (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Some distinguishing characteristics include mosaic elytra; pronotum with relatively dull luster and lateral margins parallel toward base.
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
Geographic Range
CAN: AB, BC (QCI, VCI), LB, MB, NB, NF, NS (CBI), NT, ON, PE, QC, SK USA: AK, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY [AR, KS] Newfoundland (Lindroth 1955a: 70-71) to central Alaska (Lindroth 1963b: 378), south to northwestern Oregon (Westcott et al. 2006: 7), southern Colorado (LeConte 1879d: 501; Wickham 1902: 234; Elias 1987: 632), southwestern Nebraska (Keith County, CMNH), and southern South Carolina (Ciegler 2000: 49). The records from “Kansas” (Popenoe 1878: 79) and Arkansas (Wickham 1897: 104) need confirmation; those from Texas (Wickham 1897: 104), New Mexico (Fall and Cockerell 1907: 157) and Arizona (Wickham 1897: 104; Griffith 1900: 565) possibly refer to B. impotens .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Bembidion versicolor (LeConte 1847)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Bembidion versicolor. 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 versicolor (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Bembidion versicolor
What is Bembidion versicolor?
Bembidion versicolor is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Bembidion versicolor?
Some distinguishing characteristics include mosaic elytra; pronotum with relatively dull luster and lateral margins parallel toward base.
Where is Bembidion versicolor found?
Range: CAN: AB, BC (QCI, VCI), LB, MB, NB, NF, NS (CBI), NT, ON, PE, QC, SK USA: AK, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY [AR, KS] Newfoundland (Lindroth 1955a: 70-71) to central Alaska (Lindroth 1963b: 378), south to northwestern Oregon (Westcott et al. 2006: 7), southern Colorado (LeConte 1879d: 501; Wickham 1902: 234; Elias 1987: 632), southwestern Nebraska (Keith County, CMNH), and southern South Carolina (Ciegler 2000: 49). The records from Kansas (Popenoe 1878: 79) and Arkansas (Wickham 1897: 104) need confirmation; those from Texas (Wickham 1897: 104), New Mexico (Fall and Cockerell 1907: 157) and Arizona (Wickham 1897: 104; Griffith 1900: 565) possibly refer to B. impotens .