Genus Galerita - False Bombardier Beetles

Slender Ground Beetles

Galerita Fabricius 1801

8 spp. in our area (all but G. aequinoctialis in the subg. Progaleritina), ~90 total(1)

17-25 mm

Compare head shapes of G. bicolor vs. G. janus:

worldwide except the Australian region, but not far north (and only in the Pacific part of the Palearctic); in NA, transcontinental in the south and along the Mississippi Basin north to MB in the west and MA in the east; G. bicolor and G. janus are widespread eastern species; G. lecontei across so. US (the only sp. ranging into CA) and Mexico(1)

Open woodlands, under stones, leaves. Come to lights, sometimes wander into houses.

Much of year in south. In SC, G. bicolor Feb-Dec, G. janus Apr-Dec, G. lecontei Apr-Aug + Nov

Eggs are deposited in a purse-shaped mud cell on the underside of smooth leaves; this behavior + the distinctive larva suggest an unusual way of life(1)

Caution: These beetles have chemical defenses (see Rossini et al. 1997)