Lebia collaris is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It belongs to the genus Lebia, which comprises predatory beetles commonly found in various habitats across the Holarctic region.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Family: Carabidae
- Subfamily: Harpalinae
- Tribe: Lebiini
- Genus: Lebia
- Species: L. collaris
- Authority: (Say, 1823)
Description
Lebia collaris is a relatively small beetle, typically measuring between 5 and 7 mm in length. Like other members of the genus, it exhibits a streamlined, elongated body shape adapted for rapid movement on the ground surface. The beetle is generally dark‑colored (black to dark brown) with a contrasting, lighter-colored pronotal “collar” or margin that gives the species its epithet. Detailed morphological characters (e.g., exact coloration patterns, genitalia structure) are recorded in taxonomic monographs but are not reproduced here.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is documented from North America, with records primarily from the United States and southern Canada. It inhabits a variety of open and semi‑open environments, including fields, forest edges, and gardens, where it can be found under stones, leaf litter, and low vegetation.
Ecology
Lebia species are predatory both as larvae and adults, feeding on a range of small arthropods such as aphids, larvae of other insects, and soft‑bodied pests. L. collaris is presumed to share this ecological role, contributing to the biological control of pest populations in its habitats.
Conservation Status
There is currently no specific conservation assessment for Lebia collaris on major lists such as the IUCN Red List. The species is not known to be under significant threat and is considered to have a stable presence within its range.
References
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Lebia collaris (Say, 1823).
- Catalogue of Life. Species details for Lebia collaris.
- Bousquet, Y. (2012). “Catalogue of Geadephaga (Coleoptera, Adephaga) of America, north of Mexico.” ZooKeys.
Note: The above information reflects data available from recognized taxonomic databases and entomological literature up to the present date.
