A Sprinkle of Earth
cf. Athrostictus sp. (Bates, 1878) - Ground Beetle
Black is the Knight
Description: Athrostictus is a genus of ground beetles in the order Coleoptera, suborder Adephaga, superfamily Caraboidea, family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae, supertribe Harpalitae and tribe Harpalini. Although the exact diet of an Athrostictus is unknown to me, it is known that most Carabids are predators to other insects, such as the larvae of Lepidoptera, Aphids, etc. Their predatorial presence is not all that makes this family, for some Carabids feed on seeds of herbaceous plants, while some are phytophagous, and some are detritivorous. Due to this vast diet that changes from members of Carabidae their ecological importance is also vast and irrevocable. The majority of beetles in this family are, in fact, predators, though. They prefer dark places to thrive and are most often found under rocks, being a common sight during nocturnal hours.
Feeding type: The exact diet of an Athrostictus is unknown to me. Carabids, though, in general are either predators, detritivorous, phytophagous or granivorous. There is also a possibility that some are omnivorous, but this would require confirmation from a reliable source.
Sadly, it is very hard to identify these beetles through photos. It could also be, as example, a Pterostichus sp. (Carabidae: Harpalinae: Pterostichitae: Pterostichini; includes the subgenus Leptoferonia according to Wikispecies (species.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Leptoferonia)
PROJECT NOAH (Português): www.projectnoah.org/spottings/737420517
cf. Athrostictus sp. (Bates, 1878) - Ground Beetle
Black is the Knight
Description: Athrostictus is a genus of ground beetles in the order Coleoptera, suborder Adephaga, superfamily Caraboidea, family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae, supertribe Harpalitae and tribe Harpalini. Although the exact diet of an Athrostictus is unknown to me, it is known that most Carabids are predators to other insects, such as the larvae of Lepidoptera, Aphids, etc. Their predatorial presence is not all that makes this family, for some Carabids feed on seeds of herbaceous plants, while some are phytophagous, and some are detritivorous. Due to this vast diet that changes from members of Carabidae their ecological importance is also vast and irrevocable. The majority of beetles in this family are, in fact, predators, though. They prefer dark places to thrive and are most often found under rocks, being a common sight during nocturnal hours.
Feeding type: The exact diet of an Athrostictus is unknown to me. Carabids, though, in general are either predators, detritivorous, phytophagous or granivorous. There is also a possibility that some are omnivorous, but this would require confirmation from a reliable source.
Sadly, it is very hard to identify these beetles through photos. It could also be, as example, a Pterostichus sp. (Carabidae: Harpalinae: Pterostichitae: Pterostichini; includes the subgenus Leptoferonia according to Wikispecies (species.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Leptoferonia)
PROJECT NOAH (Português): www.projectnoah.org/spottings/737420517