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Genus Galerita - False Bombardier Beetles
Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Adephaga (Ground and Water Beetles)
Family Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
Subfamily Harpalinae
Tribe Galeritini
Genus Galerita (False Bombardier Beetles)
Other Common Names Slender Ground Beetles Synonyms and other taxonomic changes Genus sometimes listed as Galeritula. Explanation of Names Author of genus is Fabricius 1801. Genus name from Latin, galea, "helmet". Apparently, Galerita means "little helmet" (1). Numbers Arnett lists seven species in the genus for North America. (2)
Nearctica.com lists eight. Identification Large size, blue/black striated elytra, brown pronotum, legs, palpi. Head black, unlike the bombadiers, Brachinus, which have a brown head, and are usually smaller (4-15 mm) (3).
Compare head shapes of Galerita bicolor | Galerita janus :
Range G. bicolor and G. janus are widespread species in eastern North America. These are the two species listed at North Carolina State University Entomology Collection. G. lecontei is found in Mexico, southern and southwestern US into North Carolina as well. (4)
Beetles of Florida--lists G. bicolor (range, eastern United States), G. janus (widespread in North America), G. lecontei (southern United States). Habitat Open woodlands, under stones, leaves. Attracted to lights, sometimes wander into houses. Season Much of year in south. February-December (G. bicolor, South Carolina). April-October, December (G. janus, South Carolina). April-August, November (G. lecontei, South Carolina). Food Adults predatory on other insects, especially caterpillars (5). Life Cycle Eggs are deposited in a "purse-shaped mud cell on the underside of smooth leaves". (4)
Caution: This genus has chemical defenses, see Defensive production of formic acid (80%) by a carabid beetle: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1997 June 24; 94 (13): 6792–6797. Print References Arnett illustrates G. janus, fig. 24.44, page 394 (2).
White describes genus, p. 92, illustrates, p. 93 (3).
Papp illustrates G. janus, describes three species in genus, p.52, fig. 147 (4).
Arnett et al. describe genus, illustrate G. janus, p. 91, fig. 236 (5).
Gordh, A Dictionary of Entomology, entry for galea (1)
Dillon describes and illustrates G. janus and bicolor, p. 105 and plate XIII (6).
Ciegler, p. 128, figs. 231-233, describes and keys the three South Carolina species (7)
Brimley, p. 124, lists G. janus as common in the mountains of North Carolina, G. bicolor mostly from lower elevations (8).
Sikes, p. 76, lists G. janus for Rhode Island (9).
Salsbury, p. 169--photo of G. janus (10)Internet References Insects of Cedar Creek has a photo of G. bicolor. (They say identification janus/bicolor is difficult.)
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, has an illustration of G. bicolor.
Georgetown University image of G. lecontei, taken in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Clemson University--photo and account of G. bicolor and of Brachinus
Beetles of Florida--lists 3 species, gives general ranges. Works Cited | 1. | A Dictionary of Entomology
By George Gordh, David H. Headrick | |
| 5. | How to Know the Beetles
By Ross H. Arnett, N. M. Downie, H. E. Jaques | |
| 10. | Insects in Kansas
By Glenn A. Salsbury and Stephan C. White | |
Contributed by Cotinis on 12 April, 2004 - 12:51pm Additional contributions by LynetteLast updated 28 May, 2008 - 9:38pm |
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