Family Carabidae (Ground Beetles)

The Carabids are the largest family of beetles.  Many are shiny black, but some are brightly coloured and can become targets of collectors (Tasmanian species are all protected). Most are carnivorous.  They mainly live on the ground, but also on trees, under bark or wetlands.  Some adult Carabids can defend themselves with chemicals, spraying it at predators or making themselves smell too much to be palatable.

Direct genus links A-Z

Adelotopus Anomotarus Bembidion Catadromus Cicindela  Clivina Demetrida Dicrochile Homethes Hypharpax  Laemostenus Mecyclothorax Promecoderus Pseudoceneus Sarothrocrepis Scaraphites Scopodes Simodontus Sphallomorpha  Trigonothops

Quick Visual Finder

Subfamily Cicindelinae (Tiger Beetles)
Cicindela (Myriochile) semicincta
   

Subfamily Broscinae

Genus Promecoderus
 

Subfamily Trechinae
Genus Bembidion

Subfamily Harpalinae
Tribe Platynini
Laemostenus complanatus
Comprised of a single Australian species within the genus.
 

Tribe Cyclosomini
Genus Sarothrocrepis
     
Tribe Harpalini
Genus Hypharpax 
 

Tribe Pterostichini
Genus Simodontus 
. 

Tribe Lebiini
Genus Anomotarus
 Anomotarus crudelis

Genus Demetrida 
 

Genus Trigonothops
 

Tribe Licinini
Genus Dicrochile

Tribe  Odacanthini
Genus Homethes

Tribe  Pentagonicini
Genus Scopodes
    

Tribe Pterostichini
Genus Pseudoceneus

Tribe Morionini
Genus Catadromus

Pending ID – Harpalinae
(Currently empty)

Subfamily Pseudomorphinae

Genus Adelotopus

 

Genus Sphallomorpha
 

Subfamily Psydrinae
Tribe Moriomorphini
Genus Mecyclothorax

Subfamily Scaritinae
Tribe Scaritini
Genus Scaraphites
    

Tribe Clivinini
Genus Clivina
   

Subfamily Brachininae
(Currently empty)
Subfamily Carabinae
(Currently empty)
Subfamily Migadopinae
(Currently empty)
Subfamily Paussinae
(Currently empty)

Pending ID – Carabidae
             IMG 1005

References

Darlington, P. J. 1956. Australian carabid beetles III. Notes of the Agonini. Psyche 63: 1-10.

Grove, S. J. 2010. Tasmanian Forest Insect Collection web-site. No longer available. Last accessed: 2 May 2012.

Hangay, G. & Zborowski, P. 2010. A Guide to the Beetles of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

Lawrence, J. & Britton, E. 1994. Australian Beetles. Melbourne University Press, Carlton.

Matthews, E.G. 1980. A guide to the genera of Beetles of South Australia. Part 1 Archostemata and Adephaga. Special Educational Bulletin Series, South Australian Museum, Adelaide.

Semmens, T. D., McQuillan, P. B., & Hayhurst G. 1992. Catalogue of the Insects of Tasmania. Department of Primary Industry Tasmania.