Beetles of North Carolina
Family (Alpha):
Scientific Name: Common Name:
« »
View Carabidae Members:
Members of Trechus:
6 NC Records

Trechus unicoi 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 unicoi belongs to subgenus Microtrechus and is included in the Nebulosus Species Group by Bosquet (2012). In addition to unicoi, 21 other species are included in this group, 18 of which occur in North Carolina and the rest in Tennessee.
Species Status: Originally described as a subspecies of luculentus by Barr (1979) but was raised to full species status by Donabauer (2005b). The type locality is Stratton Meadows in the Unicoi Mountains, situated on the North Carolina--Tennessee state line (Barr, 1979)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: BugGuide, Wikipedia, GBIF   iNaturalistTechnical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Barr (1979)                                                              
Comments: 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]: Length 4.3-4.5 mm, mean 4.4 (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).
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: Stratton Meadows is 4,314' and is covered mainly in high elevation hardwoods. Barr (1979) also found it at 3,000' in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, famous for its old growth stands of cove forest
See also Habitat Account for General Montane Mesic Forests
Diet: Predatory on small insects and other invertebrates
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Adult Phenology:
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [SR]
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNR] [S1S2]
State Protection:
Comments: This species occurs over a wider altitudinal range than most members of its genus and a portion of its range is included in federally designated wilderness. Nonetheless, this species occupies a very small geographic range and depends upon cool, wet microclimates for its survival. As such, it is likely vulnerable to the warming and drying impacts of climate change.