Carabus vinctus
This record describes Carabus vinctus (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Large, black, and slightly bronzed. Each elytron has four ridges broken into elongate tubercles . Blatchley gives the following description: Appears, like many carabids, to have potent chemical defenses (Frost, 1910):
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Carabinae
- Tribe
- Carabini
- Genus
- Carabus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"low, moist woods" ( 3 )
Geographic Range
Eastern North America: Ontario south to Florida
Seasonal Activity
Fall-spring? Regional references report August-June (North Carolina), March-November (South Carolina), April-June (Indiana).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Scavenger/predator?
Life History
Attracted to lights, fruit bait. Adults overwinter. This species is active in cold weather, like many carabids. Observed by P. Coin running around on a cold, windy, November evening in Durham, North Carolina, temperatures in the low 40 F range. (Likely feeding on chilled or dead insects.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific name vinctus is Latin for "bound, or tied up" (Wiktionary-- vinctus ), passive participle of the verb vincio , "to bind, tie". Borror gives the the root as vinc "bind, conquer". This perhaps refers to the rope-like or chain-like pattern on the elytra. (Compare the pattern of the snail, Nassarius vinctus .) Alternatively, this could refer to the narrowing of both pronotum and elytra where they join (Chuck Entz, in discussion ).
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Carabus vinctus. 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 Carabus vinctus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Carabus vinctus
What is Carabus vinctus?
Carabus vinctus is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Carabus vinctus?
20-28 mm
How do you identify Carabus vinctus?
Large, black, and slightly bronzed. Each elytron has four ridges broken into elongate tubercles . Blatchley gives the following description:
Where is Carabus vinctus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | low, moist woods ( 3 ) |
| Range | Eastern North America: Ontario south to Florida |
What does Carabus vinctus eat?
The diet of the Carabus vinctus includes Scavenger/predator?.
When is Carabus vinctus active?
Carabus vinctus: seasonal activity - Fall-spring? Regional references report August-June (North Carolina), March-November (South Carolina), April-June (Indiana)..
What is the life cycle of a Carabus vinctus?
Attracted to lights, fruit bait. Adults overwinter. This species is active in cold weather, like many carabids. Observed by P. Coin running around on a cold, windy, November evening in Durham, North Carolina, temperatures in the low 40 F range. (Likely feeding on chilled or dead insects.)