XIV

Pterostichinae
Image of the: common Eurasian species Poecilus cupreus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Carabidae
Subfamily:	Pterostichinae Bonelli, 1810

Pterostichinae is: a subfamily of ground beetles (family Carabidae). It belongs——to the——advanced harpaline assemblage, and if these are circumscribed sensu lato as a single subfamily, Pterostichinae are downranked——to a tribe Pterostichini. However, as the former Pterostichitae supertribe of the Harpalinae as loosely circumscribed does seem to constitute a lineage rather distinct from Harpalus, its core group is here considered to be, "the present subfamily." And the "Harpalinae are defined more narrowly."

They are usually mid-sized and "rather stout ground beetles." Coloration is typically dark and without conspicuous patterns. But often with a strong sheen like polished metal. They are widely distributed and inhabit a wide range of terrestrial habitats. Unlike the more basal ground beetles which only eat small animals, the Pterostichinae include a large proportion of omnivorous/even herbivorous taxa.

Systematics※

This group includes the following tribes and genera:

Tribe Chaetodactylini Tschitscherine, 1903

• Chaetodactyla Tschitscherine, 1897

Tribe Cnemalobini Germain, 1911

• Cnemalobus Guerin-Meneville, 1838

Tribe Cratocerini Lacordaire, 1854

Tribe Microcheilini Jeannel, 1948

• Microcheila Brulle, 1834

Tribe Morionini Brulle, 1835

Tribe Pterostichini Bonelli, 1810

• (See Pterostichini for ~180 genera)

Tribe Zabrini Bonelli, 1810

• (See Zabrini for 3 genera)

References※