Harpalinae

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Harpalinae
Harpalus pensylvanicus, a member of the Harpalinae subfamily.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
Subfamily: Harpalinae
Linnaeus, 1758

Harpalinae is the largest subfamily of ground beetles, containing more than 19,000 species worldwide.[1]

Chlaenius purpuricollis, a member of Harpalinae in the tribe Chlaeniini.
Panagaeus fasciatus, a Harpalinae species within the tribe Pangaeini.
Pterostichus pedemontanus, another member within Harpalinae, in the tribe Pterostichini.

Biology

This subfamily contains the most

apomorphic ground beetles, displaying a wide range of forms and behaviors.[2] The morphology of species within Harpalinae range from ant-mimics to charismatic members within the genus Pterostichus. Some exhibit rare feeding habits among ground beetles, including both omnivorous and even herbivorous species. Some members of Harpalinae, especially those restricted to the tropics, are considered to be arboreal.[3]
This variety of habitats has been considered to lead to the wide diversification of morphological traits.

Systematics

Recent phylogenetic analysis of Harpalinae has placed approximately 19,000 species within around 40 tribes in this subfamily

angiosperms.[4]

Fossil record

Fossil records and evolutionary history show that tribes within Harpalinae likely arose and diversified during the mid-Cretaceous period. A first fossil of a member of Harpalinae was dated to be from the late-Cretaceous period, and extant species of Harpalinae were found in Baltic amber.[1][6]

Ecology

Members of Harpalinae fulfill a variety of ecological niches. These include various symbioses with other insects, ovoviviparity, and even ectoparasitism.[6] Harpaline beetles, like other ground beetles, have pygidial glands that are used for defensive secretions, some secretions containing formic acid.[7] Members of Harpalinae are even considered agents of biological pest control, especially in agricultural settings.[8][9] While likely not having co-evolved with the angiosperms, angiosperm radiation likely lead to the diversification of ecological niches in Harpalinae.[4]

Tribes

The subfamily Harpalinae contains around 40 tribes, consisting of 19,000 species worldwide.

Supertribes have been constructed based on traits such as chemical defense structures, male and female reproductive structures, elytra
morphology, and habitats. While these relationships are not entirely resolved, listed below are tribes currently pertaining to Harpalinae.

Colliuris pensylvanica, a weird-looking member of Harpalinae within the tribe Odacanthini.
Harpalus affinis
Chlaenius sp., larva

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harpalinae.
Wikispecies has information related to Harpalinae.
  1. ^
    PMID 20302528
    .
  2. ^
    ISSN 1055-7903
    – via Elsevier Science Direct.
  3. ^
    PMID 12894942
    . Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  4. ^
    ISSN 2155-9902
    – via Oxford Academic.
  5. ^
    PMID 32050506
    .
  6. ^
    PMID 20799952
    .
  7. doi:10.1303/aez.12.225
    – via J-Stage.
  8. ISSN 0021-8901
    – via British Ecological Society.
  9. ISSN 0021-8901
    – via British Ecological Society.
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