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

Trechus clingmanensis Donabauer, 2005 - 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). Trechus clingmanensis belongs to subgenus Microtrechus and is included in the Nebulosus Species Group by Bosquet (2012). In addition to clingmanensis, 21 other species are included in this group, 18 of which occur in North Carolina and the rest in Tennessee.
Species Status: The type locality is Clingman's Dome located along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Donabauer, 200b).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: BugGuide, Wikipedia, GBIF   iNaturalistTechnical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Donabauer (2005b)                                                              
Comments: "Body broad ovate and rather flat. Body entirely pale reddish. Legs and antenna entirely pale, not contrasting much with body" (Donabauer, 2005b). Members of this genus show too little variation in pattern for standard photographs to be used to identify particular species.
Total Length [body plus wings; excludes ovipositor]: 3.9 mm, male significantly larger than female (3.5 mm) (Donabauer, 2005b)
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 (Donabauer, 2005b).
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: The type locality has an extensive stand of Spruce-fir Forest
See also Habitat Account for Spruce-Fir Forests
Diet: Predatory on small insects and other invertebrates
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Adult Phenology: Not enough information exists for this species to determine its phenology
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [SR]
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNR] [S1]
State Protection:
Comments: This species is endemic to Clingman's Dome and is probably highly dependent on Spruce-fir Forests and their associated cool, wet, microclimates for its survival. It is therefore likely to be highly vulnerable to extinction due to the warming and drying impacts of climate change as well as impacts that affect the Spruce-fir forests more specifically.