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Pterostichinae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pterostichinae
Image of the common Eurasian species
Poecilus cupreus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
Subfamily: Pterostichinae
Bonelli, 1810

Pterostichinae is a subfamily of ground beetles (family Carabidae). It belongs to the advanced harpaline assemblage, and if these are circumscribed sensu lato as a single subfamily, Pterostichinae are downranked to a tribe Pterostichini. However, as the former Pterostichitae[verification needed] supertribe of the Harpalinae as loosely circumscribed does seem to constitute a lineage rather distinct from Harpalus, its core group is here considered to be the present subfamily and the Harpalinae are defined more narrowly.

They are usually mid-sized and rather stout ground beetles. Coloration is typically dark and without conspicuous patterns, but often with a strong sheen like polished metal. They are widely distributed and inhabit a wide range of terrestrial habitats. Unlike the more basal ground beetles which only eat small animals, the Pterostichinae include a large proportion of omnivorous or even herbivorous taxa.

Systematics

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This group includes the following tribes and genera:[1]

Tribe Chaetodactylini Tschitscherine, 1903

Tribe Cnemalobini Germain, 1911

Tribe Cratocerini Lacordaire, 1854

Tribe Microcheilini Jeannel, 1948

Tribe Morionini Brulle, 1835

Tribe Pterostichini Bonelli, 1810

Tribe Zabrini Bonelli, 1810

References

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  1. ^ "Pterostichinae Bonelli, 1810". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2023-03-23.