Other Common Names
Notched Mouth Ground Beetle
Explanation of Names
Author of genus is Bonelli, 1813. Origin of name is clearly di- Latin two, plus caelus, another Latin word with a couple of possible meanings. Latin caelo, caelare (infinitive), is the verb "to engrave". Latin caelum is a metal engraving tool, the burin, a square piece of stout steel wire inserted into a mushroom-shaped handle. It seems most likely that the "di" refers to the two pointed projections on the pronotum, which resemble burins. Alternatively, "caelus" could refer to the engraved lines on the elytra, but then I don't see the connection to "di".
A Latin homonymn caelus means "heaven", perhaps "vault of heaven". This could refer to the two domes on the pronotum, but the engraving relationship seems more plausible. (This plausible etymology is based on Internet searches and entries in a Latin dictionary.)
(By P. Coin)
Numbers
Nearctica.com and Arnett, p. 391,
(1) list 14 species.
American Beetles states 17 species are found in North America.
(2)Identification
Large, convex-shaped carabids. Pronotum with basal projections, extending over elytra.
Habitat
Woodlands, esp. deciduous. Usually found under rocks, logs.
Season
Typically March-November (South Carolina)
Print References
Arnett, p. 391,fig. 24.39
(1)
Dillon, p. 95, plate XI
(4)
White, p. 90, 93, fig. 30
(5)
Arnett et al. pp. 89-90, figs. 232-235
(6)
Papp, p. 54, fig. 153
(7)
Lutz, 3rd. ed., plate 55
(10)Internet References
Insects NE Iowa--Dicaelus sculptilus
Invertebrates of Plummer's Island, Maryland--lists several species, with accounts, comments on habitat.
Contributed by
Cotinis on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by
Brad BarndLast updated 3 December, 2007 - 9:05pm
