Say's Ground Beetle
Chlaenius pennsylvanicus
This record describes Chlaenius pennsylvanicus (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Chlaenius is a large and diverse genus of ground beetle. It is native to the Palearctic (including Europe), the Near East, North Africa, Afrotropical region, and the Nearctic. Worldwide, roughly 1,000 species are currently recognized with the majority of known species occurring in the Oriental and Afrotropical regions. The genus is divided into many subgenera.
Identification notes
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Long, slender, slightly convex. |
| Head | Head an pronotum bright green with some bronze. |
| Elytra | Elytra dark green to blackish, with fine, deep striations. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum small, lateral margins slightly sinuate, posterior angles rectangular |
Wikipedia reference for Chlaenius pennsylvanicus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlaenius.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Harpalinae
- Tribe
- Chlaeniini
- Genus
- Chlaenius (Vivid Metallic Ground Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
widely dist. - Map the nominate ssp. transcontinental in the north (NF-BC south to FL-LA-KS-CO-OR), C. p. blanditus Casey, sw. US (UT-AZ-w.TX)
Seasonal Activity
Mar, Jun-Jul in SC
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chlaenius pennsylvanicus Say 1823
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Chlaenius pennsylvanicus. 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 Say's Ground Beetle (6)
Photo credits: (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland | (c) Eric Knopf, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric Knopf | Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Say's Ground Beetle
What is Say's Ground Beetle?
Say's Ground Beetle (Chlaenius pennsylvanicus) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Say's Ground Beetle?
10-12 mm
How do you identify Say's Ground Beetle?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Long, slender, slightly convex. |
| Head | Head an pronotum bright green with some bronze. |
| Elytra | Elytra dark green to blackish, with fine, deep striations. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum small, lateral margins slightly sinuate, posterior angles rectangular |
Where is Say's Ground Beetle found?
Range: widely dist. - Map the nominate ssp. transcontinental in the north (NF-BC south to FL-LA-KS-CO-OR), C. p. blanditus Casey, sw. US (UT-AZ-w.TX)
When is Say's Ground Beetle active?
Say's Ground Beetle: seasonal activity - Mar, Jun-Jul in SC.