Harpalus famelicus

Harpalus famelicus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Adephaga
Family: Carabidae
Subfamily: Harpalinae
Tribe: Harpalini
Genus: Harpalus
Species:
H. famelicus
Binomial name
Harpalus famelicus
Tschitscherine, 1898

Harpalus famelicus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae. It was described by Tschitscherine in 1898.[1]

Taxonomy

Harpalus famelicus belongs to the family Carabidae, which is among the largest beetle families worldwide with more than 40,000 described species.[2] The genus Harpalus was first established by Pierre André Latreille in 1802 and includes over 500 species.[3]

Description

Although detailed morphological data for Harpalus famelicus specifically is limited, like other Harpalus species it likely has an elongated, somewhat flattened body with ridged elytra and strong legs for rapid movement.[4] General descriptions of Harpalus morphology can be found in entomological field guides.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The exact range of Harpalus famelicus is not well-documented in global databases, but the species is reported from parts of the Palearctic region.[6] Most Harpalus species inhabit open habitats such as grasslands, cultivated fields, and forest edges, often preferring sandy or loamy soils.[7]

Ecology

Species in the genus Harpalus are known as beneficial predators, feeding on insect pests and weed seeds, making them important in integrated pest management systems.[8] They are usually nocturnal hunters and can influence seed banks in agricultural landscapes.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Harpalus famelicus Tschitscherine, 1898". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  2. ^ "Ground beetle (family Carabidae)". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  3. ^ "Genus Harpalus Latreille, 1802". Carabidae of the World. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  4. ^ Ball, George E. (1965). "The Taxonomy of the Nearctic Harpalus Latreille (Coleoptera: Carabidae)". Transactions of the American Entomological Society. 91 (1): 1–57. JSTOR 25077913.
  5. ^ Lindroth, Carl H. (1961). The Ground-Beetles (Carabidae, excl. Cicindelinae) of Canada and Alaska. NRC Research Press. ISBN 9780660001234. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  6. ^ "Fauna Europaea: Harpalus famelicus". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  7. ^ Thiele, Hans-Ulrich (1977). Carabid Beetles in Their Environments. Springer.
  8. ^ Kromp, Bernhard (1999). "Carabid beetles in sustainable agriculture: a review on pest control efficacy, cultivation impacts and enhancement". Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 74 (1–3): 187–228. doi:10.1016/S0167-8809(99)00037-7.
  9. ^ Honek, A.; Kocian, L. (2003). "Ground beetles (Carabidae) as seed predators". Pedobiologia. 47 (5–6): 377–389. doi:10.1078/0031-4056-00193.