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Pterostichinae

Pterostichinae is a subfamily of ground beetles (family Carabidae). It belongs to the advanced harpaline assemblage, and if these are circumscribed sensu lato as a single subfamily, Pterostichinae are downranked to a tribe Pterostichini. However, as the former Pterostichitae supertribe of the Harpalinae as loosely circumscribed does seem to constitute a lineage rather distinct from Harpalus, its core group is here considered to be the present subfamily and the Harpalinae are defined more narrowly.

They are usually mid-sized and rather stout ground beetles. Coloration is typically dark and without conspicuous patterns, but often with a strong sheen like polished metal. They are widely distributed and inhabit a wide range of terrestrial habitats. Unlike the more basal ground beetles which only eat small animals, the Pterostichinae include a large proportion of omnivorous or even herbivorous taxa.

Systematics

This group includes the following tribes and genera:

Tribe Chaetodactylini <small>Tschitscherine, 1903</small>

Tribe Cnemalobini <small>Germain, 1911</small>

  • Cnemalobus <small>Guerin-Meneville, 1838</small>

Tribe Cratocerini <small>Lacordaire, 1854</small>

Tribe Microcheilini <small>Jeannel, 1948</small>

Tribe Morionini <small>Brulle, 1835</small>

Tribe Pterostichini <small>Bonelli, 1810</small>

Tribe Zabrini <small>Bonelli, 1810</small>

References