Ground beetles

Code QC050000

Elongate, parallel sided larvae; body length of mature larvae ranging from 2-50 mm. Carabid larvae have three-four prominent, segmented antennae, 2 or 4 segmented labial palps, and six segmented legs. The mandibles usually are prominent and visible from above. Paired long articulated urogomphi usually arise dorso-apically from segment 9, segment 10 modified into a conical/tubular pseudopod. Abdomen otherwise unmodified: without gills or processes.

Larvae of this large and common family (suborder Adephaga) live in a wide range of terrestrial and semi-aquatic habitats, including many (especially from the families Scaritinae, Trechinae and Bembidiinae) that specialise in damp habitats and are found on swamps or at the edges of streams and ponds. Most species are likely to be predacious as larvae, feeding on soft bodied insects, snails and worms. Around 1200 carabid species are known from Australia, approximately a quarter of which are regarded as hydrophilous (water-loving). Carabids are found throughout Australia.

References:

Bousquet, Y. (1991) Carabidae (Adephaga). pp. 306-310. In: Stehr, F.W. (ed.) Immature Insects. Volume 2. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, Iowa.

Lawrence, J.F. and Britton, E.B. (1991) Coleoptera. pp. 543-683. In: CSIRO, Insects of Australia. Volume 2. Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria.

Williams, W.D. (1980) Australian Freshwater Life: The Invertebrates of Australian Inland Waters. The Macmillan Company of Australia, Melbourne.