Coptolabrus: colorful, fast, Carabids of the Orient.
Apr 4, 2020 22:52:59 GMT
Paul K and karan like this
Post by trehopr1 on Apr 4, 2020 22:52:59 GMT
Ground beetles are a large, cosmopolitan family (Carabidae); with more than 40,000 species worldwide. It is one of the six most speciose beetle families in existence. While it could be said that a vast number tend to be black or brown in color; there is a percentage of the family which possess some truly spectacular coloration...
One particular group of large, powerful, and simply "dazzling" Carabids belong to the genus Coptolabrus. This is an Asiatic genus and is extremely popular amongst Japanese and Chinese collectors and hobbyists.
These beetles anatomically speaking, are likely at the apex of their form. Their long legs afford them speed as well as the ability to spread their weight evenly; whilst ambling about moss covered ground cover, rocks, or tree bark/branches. Each foot has well developed tarsal claws which act as "grappling hooks" and their somewhat compressed bodies allow them to fit in tight places where prey items might be seeking refuge... They have quite large compound eyes and I imagine an "enhanced" sense of taste due to those well developed maxillary/labial palps. Long filamentous antennae finish off this "complete package" for extreme reception of smells, vibrations, and hearing.
I've picked up a few of these prizes over the years (about 15 specimens/10 species) which are pretty tough to come by here in America. Below, you will see two photographs featuring 3 of the species which I have acquired.
None have been aesthetically spread (prepared) as most were traded with a beetle hobbyist who tended to "pin the legs parallel with the body" for maximum fit in his unit tray system of drawers.
One particular group of large, powerful, and simply "dazzling" Carabids belong to the genus Coptolabrus. This is an Asiatic genus and is extremely popular amongst Japanese and Chinese collectors and hobbyists.
These beetles anatomically speaking, are likely at the apex of their form. Their long legs afford them speed as well as the ability to spread their weight evenly; whilst ambling about moss covered ground cover, rocks, or tree bark/branches. Each foot has well developed tarsal claws which act as "grappling hooks" and their somewhat compressed bodies allow them to fit in tight places where prey items might be seeking refuge... They have quite large compound eyes and I imagine an "enhanced" sense of taste due to those well developed maxillary/labial palps. Long filamentous antennae finish off this "complete package" for extreme reception of smells, vibrations, and hearing.
I've picked up a few of these prizes over the years (about 15 specimens/10 species) which are pretty tough to come by here in America. Below, you will see two photographs featuring 3 of the species which I have acquired.
None have been aesthetically spread (prepared) as most were traded with a beetle hobbyist who tended to "pin the legs parallel with the body" for maximum fit in his unit tray system of drawers.
