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

Trechus coweensis Barr, 1979 - 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 coweensis belongs to subgenus Microtrechus and is included in the Uncifer Species Group by Barr (1979). In addition to coweensis, Bosquet (2012) includes 10 other species in this group, all of which occur in the North Carolina mountains or on the ridges forming the border between North Carolina and Tennessee.
Species Status: The type locality is Yellow Mountain in the Cowee Range (Barr, 1979). Although he recognized the complete geographic isolation of coweensis, Barr originally described it as a subspecies of aduncus. It was later raised to full species status by Donabauer (2005a) based on differences in the aedeagus.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: BugGuide, Wikipedia, GBIF   iNaturalistTechnical Description, Adults/Nymphs: 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).                                                              
Comments: 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]: 3.4-3.8 mm, mean 3.7 (Barr, 1979)
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). Although similar to aduncus, Donabauer (2005a) found enough differences in the aedeagus to raise this species to separate status.
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 is just below the summit of Yellow Mountain at about 5,000' (Barr, 1979). This mountain lacks Spruce-fir forests and the summit is covered with high elevation oak forest. Barr reported finding specimens under wet leaves. Donabauer (2005a) found his specimens under rocks in an extremely wet, moderately shaded oak forest.
See also Habitat Account for General High Elevation 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: Trechus coweensis is endemic to a single, high elevation mountain summit in North Carolina where it is highly likely to be vulnerable to warming and drying impacts of climate change.