Reddish Beetle - Harpalus eraticus

moved to new species page

following ID by Guy Hanley and Peter Messer. Thanks for this one!

Peter, I guess you as an Carabid expert will find more species that can be identified by the learned eye on genus or subfamily levels . . .

… Boris Büche, 10 October, 2007 - 3:00am

Thanks, I think?

Confessions and disclaimer by an "expert": Given only distant field photographs and minimal data, I personally find that carabid identification to the most specific level that is still confident (>95% likely) is difficult and risky business. The odds are high that at least a few of my levels of identification for BugGuide will be carried too far and completely wrong! Hopefully someone will notice. We do our best and I, for one, still have much to learn from my mistakes.

… Peter Messer, 10 October, 2007 - 6:40pm

Teneral?

I would caution against assuming the thing is red. It might be a teneral that has not achieved full pigmentation yet. Then again, it really could be red:-) You can always test by gently grabbing the insect. If it is softer than normal, it is a teneral.

… Eric R. Eaton, 8 October, 2007 - 3:38pm

ground beetle

of Harpalini tribe. Presumably genus Har*palus, but can´t be sure on that.

… Boris Büche, 8 October, 2007 - 3:33am

Yes

I agree with Boris, the species that has been out here the last few weeks is Harpalus erraticus

… Guy A. Hanley, 8 October, 2007 - 10:20am

Harpalini : Harpalus eraticus

I agree. As this is a new taxon for BG, please make sure that we use original "eraticus" by Say (1823), not "erraticus" on which carabid authorities now agree is an unprevailing-unintentional subsequent missspelling.

… Peter Messer, 8 October, 2007 - 3:42pm

Thanks

for the name correction, I am just starting to stumble through a collection project that produced a fair amount of carabids, and they are proving to be quite a challenge for me to ID...

… Guy A. Hanley, 8 October, 2007 - 10:43pm

Thanks to all! I appreciate y

Thanks to all! I appreciate your help.
Naomi

… Naomi Smith, 9 October, 2007 - 10:08pm