Trechus nigrocruciatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae and subfamily Trechinae. It was first described by the English entomologist Thomas Vernon Wollaston in 1854.
Taxonomy
The species belongs to the genus Trechus, subgenus Trechus, within the tribe Trechini. Its full taxonomic placement is: Animalia → Arthropoda → Insecta → Coleoptera → Carabidae → Trechinae → Trechini → Trechina → Trechus → Trechus (subgenus) → Trechus nigrocruciatus. The accepted scientific name is Trechus (Trechus) nigrocruciatus Wollaston, 1854.
Distribution
According to Fauna Europaea and other sources, Trechus nigrocruciatus is recorded as present in the Madeira Islands (Portugal). Some sources also list Norway and Portugal (mainland) as part of its distribution. It is reported as absent from most other European regions.
Description
As a member of the ground beetle family, Trechus nigrocruciatus is a small, predatory beetle. Specific morphological details are limited in available sources. The species name nigrocruciatus is Latin, likely meaning "black-crossed" (nigro- = black, cruciatus = crossed), possibly referring to a dark cross-like marking on the body.
Ecology
The species is terrestrial. It has been recorded as being parasitized by the fungus Rhachomyces canariensis Thaxt. 1900 (a laboulbenialean fungus). Like other beetles in the suborder Adephaga, it undergoes holometabolous development (complete metamorphosis with egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages). It exhibits bilateral symmetry.
References
- Catalogue of Life. "Trechus nigrocruciatus Wollaston, 1854."
- Encyclopedia of Life. "Trechus (Trechus) nigrocruciatus Wollaston 1854."
- Fauna Europaea. "Trechus (Trechus) nigrocruciatus Wollaston, 1854."
- Insecta.pro. "Trechus nigrocruciatus."
