Explanation of Names
Amara aenea (DeGeer 1774)
Identification
Common and widespread across North America. The most likely species of Amara to be seen running in the open during sunny days, hence the nickname "Common Sun Beetle". Recognizable by its general habitus; metallic (coppery) dorsum; flattish eyes; pronotum with anterior angles strongly projected forward, mediobasal fovea sharp, laterobasal fovea weak or absent; first three antennomeres pale; femur dark and tibia light.
Range
native to n. Eurasia, adventive in NA and now widespread both in the east (NF-MB south to n.FL-n.LA-ne.OK) and in the west (so.BC-CA to se.AB-CO-n.AZ)
(2)Habitat
fields, orchards, roadsides, sand pits, usually on dry sandy soils; occasionally on plants
(1)Remarks
earliest record in our area: before 1828; first inventoried specimens: NY 1904 in the east, CA 1941 in the west
(2)