Thursday 23 May
Ground beetle (Dromius sigma)
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Find out here.Ground beetle fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Ground beetle description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae |
| Genus | Dromius (1) |
Ground beetles belonging to the genus Dromius are typically elongate, flattened beetles (2). Dromius sigma has a black head (2), and pale brown wing cases (elytra) that have a dark 'maltese cross' pattern (1).
- Size
- Length: 3.2-4 mm (2)
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Related species
Ground beetle biology
The adults are believed to be wingless in Britain (4). The life cycle of this beetle takes one year to complete; breeding is thought to occur in summer, and immature adults overwinter in clumps of tufted hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) (4). Both the adults and the larvae prey upon small invertebrates (4).
TopGround beetle range
Found in central and eastern England (4), but formerly had a very scattered distribution from Cumberland to south Hampshire (5). Most recent records are from Yorkshire (6).
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Species with a similar range
Ground beetle habitat
Inhabits muddy and peaty soils close to standing water in fens, marshes, and flooded gravel pits or quarries (4). It is found on soft mud or soil close to the water margin, typically in lush vegetation such as clumps of tall grass (5).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Ground beetle status
Classified as Vulnerable in Great Britain (3)
TopGround beetle threats
Main threats are the drainage of wetlands for agriculture or development (5), as well as peat extraction for use in horticulture (4). Further threats are the infilling of gravel pits, tree growth on moorland, and lowered water tables due to water abstraction and river engineering works (5).
TopGround beetle conservation
This ground beetle is included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme, and is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). The Species Action Plan that has been produced to guide the conservation of this beetle aims to maintain its current range (4). A number of sites currently supporting this species are either Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or National Nature Reserves (NNRs); they are therefore afforded a level of protection (4). It has been suggested that management for this species should aim to maintain high water tables, and protect water bodies from pollution (5).
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The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP. |
Find out more
For more on English Nature's Species Recovery Programme see:
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/science/srp/default.asp
Authentication
Information authenticated by Dr Martin Luff of the School of Biology, University of Newcastle, with the support of the British Ecological Society:
http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/
Glossary
- Elytra
- In beetles and earwigs, the hard fore wings. They are held aloft when the insect flies, and are often coloured or patterned.
- Larvae
- Stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
References
- National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (September 2002) http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/
- Lindroth, C. H. (1974) Handbooks for the identification of British insects. Volume IV. Part 2: Coleoptera, Carabidae. The Royal Entomological Society of London, London
- Shirt, D. B. (1987) British Red Data Books: 2 Insects. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough.
- UK BAP Species Action Plan (September 2002) http://www.ukbap.org.uk
- Hymen, P. S. and Parsons, M.S. (1992) A review of the scarce and threatened Coleoptera of Great Britain: Part 1. JNCC, Peterborough.
- Luff, M (2004) Pers. comm.
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Dromius sigma
© John Walters
John Walters
47 Oaklands Park
Buckfastleigh
Devon
TQ11 0BP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1364 643 916
Fax: +44 (0) 1364 642 784
studio@johnwalters.co.uk
http://www.johnwalters.co.uk
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