Fun Fiery Searcher Caterpillar Hunter Facts For Kids
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This species of beetles are very beneficial to various plants and trees because these beetles primarily feed upon caterpillars, which in turn feed upon these plants and trees. A fiery searcher caterpillar hunter beetle is known to be a very common ground beetle also.
They are known to give off a very unpleasant odor when handled. Fiery searchers love to hunt tent caterpillars and gypsy moth larvae.
A fiery beetle with the common name calosoma scrutator is generally found in fields and gardens. However, it may also be seen in deciduous forests. This beetle belongs to the few species of beetles of the genus Calosoma and order Coleoptera that tend to climb shrubs and trees to forage.
They are also drawn to light and are considered to be very fast and agile. It is a bright metallic green and gold-colored beetle with brilliant green ridged reddish wing covers.
The legs, abdomen, head, and pronotum of this insect are shiny blue and black. They are known as beauty with bite, with metallic blue-green elytra edged in lustrous reddish-orange. The elytra are hardened front wings.
They are considered to be deadly night hunters who tend to emerge at night to find a meal and could run their prey to the ground in seconds. This Calosoma scrutator is also known as the cheetah of the insect world.
During the day, these ground beetles are seen hiding in leaf litter with the fiery searcher underside facing up and under rocks or in decaying logs.
The larvae are known to develop through three instars. The first instar larvae stay in the location from where they emerged.
Also, larvae are initially pale and become dark in color with time. The fiery searcher pupae are found in the soil within the earthen cavity, which is constructed by the larvae. The adults tend to live for at least two years.
Let's look at these interesting facts, and if you do like these, then do read our longhorn beetle facts and golden tortoise beetle facts pages.
Fiery Searcher Caterpillar Hunter Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a fiery searcher caterpillar hunter?
Fiery searchers (Calosoma scrutator), belonging to the genus Calosoma and order Coleoptera, are a type of beetle. They are metallic green in color, and this species of beetles feed upon caterpillars. A few of their natural predators are insectivorous birds, toads, foxes, and skunks.
What class of animal does a fiery searcher caterpillar hunter belong to?
The class of animal that a fiery searcher beetle belongs to is Insecta. This species of beetles are found throughout North America.
These beetles are known to have economic importance as well. In addition, they are carnivorous and considered beneficial in controlling the population of a few destructive pests, whom they hunt upon like the gypsy moth and tent caterpillars.
How many fiery searcher caterpillar hunters are there in the world?
To give an exact estimation of the population of these beetles is very difficult. Still, there are a number of related species of this family Carabidae beetles all around the world. Some of these insects are metallic bright green and blue in color, while others are black.
Where does a fiery searcher caterpillar hunter live?
Fiery searcher beetles are found living in open woodlands, croplands, and gardens. During the day, these ground beetles are seen hiding in leaf litter and also under rocks or in decaying logs and emerge at night to find a meal.
What is a fiery searcher caterpillar hunter's habitat?
A fiery searcher's geographic range is usually the various regions of the continent of North America. This beetle is abundant in the eastern states and parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Who do fiery searcher caterpillar hunters live with?
They are found living with the species of their own kind. They might also be seen living some other insects as well. Since they are considered to be ground beetles, they could be seen living with various other species of anthropods.
How long does a fiery searcher caterpillar hunter live?
The basic lifespan of an adult fiery searcher beetle is two years, but they have been reported to live up for four years. The larvae are known to develop through three instars. The very first instar takes place immediately after the eggs are hatched.
How do they reproduce?
During the early months of summers, the adult females deposit eggs in the soil in early June. These eggs hatch in the time span of about three to fifteen days following oviposition.
What is their conservation status?
As per the IUCN, the conservation status of the fiery searcher beetle is declared as of Least Concern.
Fiery Searcher Caterpillar Hunter Fun Facts
What do fiery searcher caterpillar hunters look like?
It is a bright metallic green and gold-colored beetle with brilliant green ridged, reddish wing covers. The legs, abdomen, head, and pronotum of this insect are shiny blue and black in color. They have wings, but they rarely use them. They usually run on their long legs than fly.
These hardened front wings are known as elytra. A fiery searcher belly is considered to be very colorful. During the early months of summers, the adult females deposit eggs in the soil in early June.
How cute are they?
As a small beetle, we do not think they are cute at all.
How do they communicate?
A fiery searcher beetle communicates by using several different pheromones.
How big is a fiery searcher caterpillar hunter?
The length of an adult fiery searcher beetle is about 0.98-1.37 in (25-35 mm) long in size, and they are considered to be four times bigger than a housefly.
How fast can fiery searcher caterpillar hunters move?
The exact speed of how fast this species of fiery searcher beetle can move is unknown, but they are known to be very fast and agile.
How much does a fiery searcher caterpillar hunter weigh?
An adult fiery searcher's weight is not estimated, but they have an average weight like the rest of the beetles.
What are the male and female names of the species?
They have no sex-specific names.
What would you call a baby fiery searcher caterpillar hunter?
A baby fiery searcher is larvae or pupae, depending on their stage of growth.
What do they eat?
This species of ground beetles are seen feeding upon caterpillars, cabbage loopers, aphids, asparagus beetles, slugs, flea beetles, and snails. This insect tends to emerge at night to find a meal. They are fond of gypsy moths and tent caterpillars and could climb trees and shrubs to look for their prey.
Are they harmful?
Yes, they are harmful as their bite can be very painful and nasty.
Would they make a good pet?
If they are cared for properly, they could be kept as pets.
Did you know...
The lifespan of a fiery searcher beetle could be completed in a year, but the adults are long-lived and tend to live for at least two years.
The middle tibiae could differentiate the adult male and female.
Calosoma sycophanta,a native of Europe, is also a type of beetle and is used to combat gypsy moths and brown-tailed moths.
They have scent glands known to release a musky odor that serves as protection from their predators.
The fiery searcher caterpillar hunter's scientific name is Calosoma scrutator.
Why are fiery searcher caterpillar hunter beetles called that?
A fiery searcher beetle is known as a caterpillar hunter since it is known to hunt and feed on caterpillars.
How to raise fiery searcher caterpillar hunter?
Fiery caterpillars should be handled with care since they can give a nasty bite and are known to release a foul odor. Make sure also to feed them their share of caterpillars on time.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods, including broad necked root borer facts and striped cucumber beetle facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Fiery searcher caterpillar hunter coloring pages.
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Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance, Master of Business Administration
Divya RaghavBachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance, Master of Business Administration
With a diverse range of experience in finance, administration, and operations, Divya is a diligent worker known for her attention to detail. Born and raised in Bangalore, she completed her Bachelor's in Commerce from Christ University and is now pursuing an MBA at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Bangalore. Along with her professional pursuits, Divya has a passion for baking, dancing, and writing content. She is also an avid animal lover who dedicates her time to volunteering for animal welfare causes.
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