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Carabidae is a family within the insect order Coleoptera (beetles). Insects in this family are commonly known as ground beetles, after their preferred habitat.

Ground beetles make up one of the largest groups of beetles, with over 20,000 species worldwide, more than 2200 of which reside in North America. Although there is some variation in their body shape and coloring, most are shiny, black (some are metallic), and have ridged wing covers. Ground beetles in the genus Brachinus are commonly known as bombardier beetles; they are noted for their defensive ability to squirt a jet of hot foul-smelling liquid from their abdomens. Ground beetles in the subfamily Cicindelinae are known as Tiger beetles. Unlike most of the other species of Carabidae, which are nocturnal, the Tiger beetles are active diurnal hunters.

Classification

An incomplete list of subfamilies and genera:

References

  • Edmund Reitter. Fauna Germanica. Käfer, 1908, I:67-201.
  • C. H. Lindroth. Svensk Insectenfauna 9, Coleoptera, Carabidae. Stockholm, 1942 : 1-260.
  • E. Csiki. Die Aäferfauna des Karpaten-Beckens. Budapest 1946, 1:71-546.
  • K. Kult. Klic k urcovani brouku celedi Carabidae Ceskoslovenske republiky. Praha 1947:1-198.

External links

Beetles

Løbebiller | Laufkäfer | Carabidae | רצניתיים | ゴミムシ | Žygiai | Loopkevers

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Ground beetle".

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