Scientific name: Ophionea nigrofasciata (Schmidt-Goebel)

Common name: Ground beetle

Carabid beetle.jpg (15018 bytes)
Reddish brown adult of Ophionea nigrofasciata (Schmidt-Goebel)

 

 

Taxonomy:

Class Insecta
Order Coleoptera
Family Carabidae

Economic importance

Generalist predator.

Hosts

Leaffolder larvae and planthoppers.

Description

Ophionea nigrofasciata, known as the ground beetle is a reddish brown insect with a bluish band on the elytra. Two white spots are located on both ends of the bluish band. The beetle has a shiny black head.

Biology and Ecology

The insect is always found within the folded leaf made by the leaffolder larvae. It can prey on 3 to 5 larvae per day. It also feeds on planthoppers.

O. nigrofasciata is common in both wetland rice bunds and dryland fields where it also pupates.

Selected references

Barrion AT, Litsinger JA. 1994. Taxonomy of rice insect pests and their arthropod parasites and predators. In: Biology and management of rice insects. Manila (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 779 p.

Shepard BM, Barrion AT, Litsinger JA. 1987. Helpful insects, spiders, and pathogens. Manila (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 127 p.