Shore Ground Beetle
Elaphrus ruscarius
This record describes Elaphrus ruscarius (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Elaphrus ruscarius is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Elaphrinae. It was described by Say in 1834.
Wikipedia reference for Elaphrus ruscarius: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaphrus_ruscarius.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Elaphrinae
- Genus
- Elaphrus (Marsh Ground Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
along the banks of rivers and large creeks; occasionally in swampy habitats
Geographic Range
e.NA (QC‒FL to ON‒MN‒NE‒TX) ; the only Elaphrus found in se.US
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Elaphrus ruscarius Say 1830
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Elaphrus ruscarius. 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 Shore Ground Beetle (3)
Photo credits: (c) Jeffrey G. Cramer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jeffrey G. Cramer | Contributed by Stephen_WV; Additional contributions by Chris Wirth , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Shore Ground Beetle
What is Shore Ground Beetle?
Shore Ground Beetle (Elaphrus ruscarius) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Shore Ground Beetle?
6.7‒7.2 mm
Where is Shore Ground Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | along the banks of rivers and large creeks; occasionally in swampy habitats |
| Range | e.NA (QC‒FL to ON‒MN‒NE‒TX) ; the only Elaphrus found in se.US |