Ground beetles in the genus Calosoma “are known as ‘searchers’ for their feverish hunting behavior” (Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America). And as their name suggests, they’re after caterpillars—often climbing trees in pursuit of them. Many of the large, 40+ species are found in the south, this particular species ranges across eastern North America ((BC-CA-AZ to SK-NE). The adults are active during the day, while the larvae are nocturnal, concealing themselves in leaf litter in off-hours. Lepidopterous caterpillars are on the menu for both adults and larvae, but adults also eat other insects such as click beetles, flies and orthopterans.
Size: Length 14-19 mm
Photo by: Kristi DuBois on 4/25/22 in Missoula, MT