ColeopteraCarabidae – Ground Beetles

Pterostichus trinarius

This record describes Pterostichus trinarius (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Pterostichus trinarius - Pterostichus trinarius
(c) Joe Girgente, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joe Girgente

Pterostichus trinarius is a species of woodland ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Wikipedia reference for Pterostichus trinarius: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterostichus trinarius.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder
Adephaga
Family
Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
Subfamily
Harpalinae
Tribe
Pterostichini
Genus
Pterostichus

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

sw.NY-VA to se.SD-MO

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Pterostichus trinarius (Casey 1918)

About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group

Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Pterostichus trinarius. 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.

Explore Coleoptera families and species →

Photos of Pterostichus trinarius (4)

Pterostichus trinarius - photo 1
(c) Joe Girgente, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joe Girgente | Contributed by v belov
Pterostichus trinarius - photo 2
(c) Joe Girgente, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joe Girgente | Contributed by v belov
Pterostichus trinarius - photo 3
(c) Joe Girgente, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joe Girgente | Contributed by v belov
Pterostichus trinarius - photo 4
(c) Joe Girgente, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joe Girgente | Contributed by v belov

Photo credits: (c) Joe Girgente, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joe Girgente | Contributed by v belov

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: (c) Joe Girgente, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joe Girgente | Contributed by v belov. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.