Fragrant Beauty - The Beetle of the Living Gift

Fragrant Calosoma - Calosoma sycophanta L.

The name "Calosoma" translates from Latin as "beautiful beetle," and it is aptly named. It has a remarkably beautiful dark blue coloration, while its elytra are golden-green with a metallic sheen.

The ability of the Calosoma to move well among trees distinctly sets it apart from other predatory ground beetles.

The beetle measures 21—35 mm in length. It is black, with a dark blue or blue-green head and pronotum, green elytra with a blue, golden, or copper sheen, and black antennae, palps, and legs. The 2nd and 3rd segments of the antennae are flattened, with a pointed lateral edge. The pronotum is heart-shaped, the elytra are broad with pronounced shoulders, fairly short, with evenly moderately convex intervals, and the primary pits are smooth but noticeable. The older larva is 30—38 mm long, with a narrow notch between the median teeth on the head, the sternites of the abdominal segments are short-oval, and the 9th abdominal segment has a bright orange spot at the base of the cerci.

Beetles appear in May–June, during which mating and egg-laying occur. The development of larvae and pupae lasts about two months. Imago of the new generation appear in August. In autumn, adult beetles go into hibernation in the soil and forest litter. They winter in the litter and soil. The lifespan is 2—4 years.

This is a nocturnal predatory beetle; during the day, it usually hides under stones and is mainly active at night. The Calosoma pursues its prey everywhere — on the ground and on trees. It is more commonly found on trees in search of caterpillars of butterflies, which it feeds on. Grabbing its prey with its well-developed, sharp mandibles, the beetle drags it to the ground, where it ruthlessly tears it apart and then devours it.

This species is very beneficial as it exterminates forest pest insects.

Distribution: Northern Tien Shan, the territory of the Issyk-Kul basin, Western and Inner Tien Shan, the Pre-Fergana regions of Kyrgyzstan, Alay Valley.

Insects of Kyrgyzstan