IdentificationAdults are 5.3 - 7.4 mm in length, narrow bodied and much paler in color than any other species of the genus Amara. Brown to reddish brown with pale bronze luster. Appendages brownish yellowish and almost transparent. Eyes are convex. Basal half of prothorax is parallel sided with truncated anterior margin, more or less denticulate hind angles. It also has expanded punctuation (having tiny spots, punctures) at the base which is a key character. Prosternum of male is smooth. Elytra are long with shallow striations and with punctuation. Male genitalia smaller, straight and long apex and lateral lobes with hooks (Lindroth, 1968).
Scientific NameAmara bifronsHabitat
Dry, open habitats preferred. It is xerophyllic species and thus favors sandy areas (Lindroth, 1968).
Identification
Adults are 5.3 - 7.4 mm in length, narrow bodied and much paler in color than any other species of the genus Amara. Brown to reddish brown with pale bronze luster. Appendages brownish yellowish and almost transparent.…
Adults are 5.3 - 7.4 mm in length, narrow bodied and much paler in color than any other species of the genus Amara. Brown to reddish brown with pale bronze luster. Appendages brownish yellowish and almost transparent. Eyes are convex. Basal half of prothorax is parallel sided with truncated anterior margin, more or less denticulate hind angles. It also has expanded punctuation (having tiny spots, punctures) at the base which is a key character. Prosternum of male is smooth. Elytra are long with shallow striations and with punctuation. Male genitalia smaller, straight and long apex and lateral lobes with hooks (Lindroth, 1968).
Life History
Usually occurs in summer (Lindroth, 1992). It hibernates in larval stage and very few adult survive (Lindroth, 1968). It is autumn breeder (Varis et al.1984).
Conservation
Information not available.
Diet Info
Adults are predatory on other arthropod species and are omnivorous. Predation on cabbage root fly maggots has been noted (Andersen et al., 1983; Varis et al.1984). Adults are also found to feed on weed seed of Taraxacum…
Adults are predatory on other arthropod species and are omnivorous. Predation on cabbage root fly maggots has been noted (Andersen et al., 1983; Varis et al.1984). Adults are also found to feed on weed seed of Taraxacum officinale (Dandlion) seed (Honek et al., 2005).
Range
Palearctic distribution. Introduced from Europe and recorded first in Nova Scotia in 1929. Distributed in Canada in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Quebec (Lindroth 1954, Lindroth, 1955, Lindroth 1968).
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Citation
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Page Citation for Amara bifrons
Page Citation
"Species Details - Amara bifrons, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-36649. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
References
AuthorVaris, A. L., J. K. Holopainen and N. M. Koponen
TitleAbundance and seasonal occurrence of adult Carabidae (Coleoptera) in cabbage, sugar beet and timothy fields in southern Finland.
Publication Date1984
Series TitleZeitschrift fur Angewandte Entomologie
Volume98
Pages62-73
AuthorAndersen, A., A. Hansen, N. Rydlandn and G. Oyre
TitleCarabidae and Staphylinidae (Col.) as predators of eggs of the turnip root fly Delia floralis Fallen (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) in cage experiments.
Publication Date1983
Series TitleZeitschrift fur Angewandte Entomologie
Volume95
Pages499-506
AuthorLindroth, Carl H.
TitleGround Beetles (Carabidae) of Fennoscandia.
Publication Date1992
Pages630 pp
AuthorHonek, A., Z. Martinkova and P. Saska
TitlePost-dispersal predation of Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) seed.
Publication Date2005
Series TitleJournal of Ecology
Volume93
Pages345-352
AuthorLindroth, Carl H.
TitleThe carabid beetles of Newfoundland, including the French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon.
Publication Date1955
Series TitleOpuscula Entomologica
Volume12
Pages1-160
AuthorLindroth, C. H.
TitleThe Carabid Beetles of Nova Scotia.
Publication Date1954
Series TitleThe Canadian Entomologist
Volume86
Pages299-310
AuthorLindroth, Carl H.
TitleThe Ground-beetles of Canada and Alaska. Part 5.
Publication Date1968
Series TitleOpuscula Entomologica
Volume33
Pages649-944
Specimen Information
There are 6 specimens of this Species.
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6 results plotted on map in 2 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.