Beetles of North Carolina
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Scientific Name: Common Name:
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View Carabidae Members:
Members of Trechus:
31 NC Records

Trechus barberi (Jeannel, 1931) - No Common Name

Taxonomy
Family: Carabidae Subfamily: Trechinae                                                             
Comments: One of 82 species in this genus that have been recorded in North America north of Mexico, 42 of which occur in North Carolina (Bosquet, 2012). This species was placed in the Vandykei Species Group by Barr (1962). This group now contains 10 species, all of which occur in North Carolina with some extending into the neighboring states (Bosquet, 2012).
Species Status: The type locality is Retreat in the Great Balsam Mountains (see Barr, 1962)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: BugGuide, Wikipedia, GBIF   iNaturalistTechnical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Barr (1962)                                                              
Comments: "Dark, blackish-piceous, shining, similar in form to vandykei but larger and more robust" (Barr, 1962). Members of this genus generally show too little variation in pattern for standard photographs to be used to identify particular species.
Total Length [body plus wings; excludes ovipositor]: 2.8-3.2 mm, mean 3.0 (Barr, 1962)
Structural Features: As a member of subgenus Microtrechus, only the first segment of front tarsus is enlarged in males. This species is distinguished from other members of its species group morphometrically and by features of the aedeagus (Barr, 1962, 1979).
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥
 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) <
 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)
Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Elevations occupied by this species range from 2400 feet in the Whitewater Gorge to 6300 feet on Clingmans Dome (Barr, 1972). Habitats include primarily Spruce-fir Forests and High Elevation Hardwoods. The relatively low elevation site occupied in the Whitewater Gorge probably represents a cove forest kept very wet by spray from the river.
See also Habitat Account for General High Elevation Forests
Diet: Predatory on small insects and other invertebrates
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Barr (1962) reported this species as abundant in the Great Balsam Mountains
Adult Phenology:
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3S4]
State Protection:
Comments: This species is the most widespread of our species of Trechus and occupies one of the widest ranges of elevations and habitats. This species appears to be fairly secure, although it still occupies a comparatively small geographic range.