Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides
Ocys harpaloides / tachysoides
This record describes Ocys harpaloides / tachysoides (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Beetles previously thought to be Ocys harpaloides have recently been shown to comprise two species , the other being Ocys tachysoides , but they can only be separated by examination of the genitalia or DNA analysis. If you are unable to separate the two species, record it as this aggregate. Length 4 to 6mm. |
| Head | Head and pronotum glossy reddish brown with head slightly darker. |
| Elytra | Elytra wider than pronotum, dark brown sometimes with a faint hint of metallic blue, side margin and suture often paler. |
| Legs | Legs and antennae dull yellow to red-brown. Under bark or other litter in damp woodlands. Under stones in more open damp sites. Widespread and abundant except in the extreme north. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Family
- Carabidae
- Genus
- Ocys
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Under bark or other litter in damp woodlands. Under stones in more open damp sites.
Seasonal Activity
May to October.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and abundant except in the extreme north.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Ocys harpaloides / tachysoides. 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 Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides
What is Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides?
Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides (Ocys harpaloides / tachysoides) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | 4 to 6mm. |
| Head | Head and pronotum glossy reddish brown with head slightly darker. |
| Elytra | Elytra wider than pronotum, dark brown sometimes with a faint hint of metallic blue, side margin and suture often paler. |
| Legs | Legs and antennae dull yellow to red-brown. |
Where is Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides found?
Habitat: Under bark or other litter in damp woodlands. Under stones in more open damp sites.
When is Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides active?
Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides: seasonal activity - May to October..