The fire searcher beetle is a member of the family of ground beetles. It is alternately called caterpillar hunter as it preys upon caterpillar in its larva and adult stage, helping to keep the pest population down. They secrete a foul-smelling oil, similar to rotten milk or rancid olive oil, when handled. These beetles, one of the largest ground beetle species, can fly but do so rarely. They are among the few species belonging to their genus that can climb trees and shrubs while foraging.
Size: 35 mm (1.4 in)
Color: Its wing covers are bright metallic green, with purple or reddish-gold margins. The head is black with brown jaws, its protonum is blue-violet, and its legs are dark blue-violet.
Other Characteristic Features: They have highly developed compound eyes and strong mandibles to manipulate food. Sexual dimorphism exists in these beetles, as the males have strongly curved, reddish setae, which the females do not.
Larvae are pale white when they emerge from their eggs. After an hour or two, they become darker. The dorsal region is dark brown, and the ventral portion is light brown. It goes through three instars, the first lasting for 3-6 days, the second for 4-7 days, and the third for 9-15 days. They start at 10 mm and end up at around 20-25 cm when fully mature.
The pupa starts creamy white, later taking on the color of the adults. They pupate in the soil for 10-15 days.
These eggs are white with a tinge of yellow, 5mm long, 2mm wide, and oblong shaped, tapering off in the end.
| Other names | Caterpillar hunter beetle |
| Lifespan | 2 years |
| Distribution | United States, Mexico, Guatemala, southern Canada, and Venezuela |
| Habitat | Fields, gardens, and deciduous forests |
| Predators | Toads, birds, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and shrews |
| Seasons active | May to August |
| Diet of adults and larvae | Caterpillars |
Both the larvae and the adult are carnivorous and do no damage to any plants.
Image Source: content.eol.org, entnemdept.ufl.edu, bugguide.net, researchgate.net, i.pinimg.com
The fire searcher beetle is a member of the family of ground beetles. It is alternately called caterpillar hunter as it preys upon caterpillar in its larva and adult stage, helping to keep the pest population down. They secrete a foul-smelling oil, similar to rotten milk or rancid olive oil, when handled. These beetles, one of the largest ground beetle species, can fly but do so rarely. They are among the few species belonging to their genus that can climb trees and shrubs while foraging.
Size: 35 mm (1.4 in)
Color: Its wing covers are bright metallic green, with purple or reddish-gold margins. The head is black with brown jaws, its protonum is blue-violet, and its legs are dark blue-violet.
Other Characteristic Features: They have highly developed compound eyes and strong mandibles to manipulate food. Sexual dimorphism exists in these beetles, as the males have strongly curved, reddish setae, which the females do not.
Larvae are pale white when they emerge from their eggs. After an hour or two, they become darker. The dorsal region is dark brown, and the ventral portion is light brown. It goes through three instars, the first lasting for 3-6 days, the second for 4-7 days, and the third for 9-15 days. They start at 10 mm and end up at around 20-25 cm when fully mature.
The pupa starts creamy white, later taking on the color of the adults. They pupate in the soil for 10-15 days.
These eggs are white with a tinge of yellow, 5mm long, 2mm wide, and oblong shaped, tapering off in the end.
| Other names | Caterpillar hunter beetle |
| Lifespan | 2 years |
| Distribution | United States, Mexico, Guatemala, southern Canada, and Venezuela |
| Habitat | Fields, gardens, and deciduous forests |
| Predators | Toads, birds, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and shrews |
| Seasons active | May to August |
| Diet of adults and larvae | Caterpillars |
Both the larvae and the adult are carnivorous and do no damage to any plants.
Image Source: content.eol.org, entnemdept.ufl.edu, bugguide.net, researchgate.net, i.pinimg.com
