Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Calosoma externum (
Say 1825)
Calosoma externus (spelling/gender)
Callitropa externum
Identification
Black with margins of elytra and pronotum brilliant blue. Elytra with evenly-spaced rows of punctured grooves (striae) and a few large punctures (foveae). Very large, up to 35 mm long. Pronotum rounded, not flared out on the apical (head) end.
Resembles Carabus sylvosus, which is smaller, and has a differently-shaped pronotum--more flared on the apical end.
Range
Eastern North America. Reported from Ontario, Michigan, south, at least, to Carolinas. Not reported from
Florida.
Habitat
Woodlands and adjacent open country
Season
June-September. Reported May and July-August (North Carolina), May and September-October (South Carolina). May-October (Indiana--
(1)).
Food
Adults predatory, climb trees in search of prey, esp. caterpillars.
Life Cycle
Adults overwinter (hibernate).
Remarks
Common name and life history are from Papp
(2).
See Also
Some
Carabus, for example,
Carabus sylvosus, have a similar black/blue pattern
Print References
Arnett, p. 75, fig. 198
(3)
Blatchley, p. 46, fig. 36
(1) (
link)
Papp, pp. 45-46, fig. 126.
(2)Internet References
Common in the
NCSU Entomology Collection, with 50 pinned.
