Zabrus (Zabrus) tenebrioides tenebrioides (Goeze, 1777)
Family: Carabidae
Size 12 - 16.4 mm. The species is pitch black to pitch brown, with a lighter underside and a faint metallic sheen. The elytra are arched, long and longitudinally grooved. The appendages are brownish-red. The broad protonum is almost square and transversely arched.
Adults from June to September. Occurs in the lowlands to the foothills. It is macropterous.
The larva is up to 3 cm long, with a darker head and powerful biting mouthparts. The thorax and abdomen of the larvae are robust, light yellow, with large dark brown spots on the dorsal side. The beetles hatch in June to July from pupae in the soil and inhabit grain fields, meadows and pastures. They hide in hiding places during the day and feed on ears of corn at night. Corn ground beetle attacks all types of cereals, especially winter cereals, less often oats. Many wild and forage grasses also serve as a source of food. It is the only harmful species from the entire Carabidae family. Previously, there was significant damage to cereals, but today their impact is not so significant. They have many enemies, including large ground beetles, moles and various birds.
Picture source: main: Schmidt, 2024
