Ground Beetles of Ireland


Pterostichus niger

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Pterostichus niger
© Roy Anderson
Pterostichus niger
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(Maps updated 30th November 2009)
 

Pterostichus niger (Schaller, 1783)

Description: A large (15-20mm) predatory black ground beetle. Common in a variety of open habitats, including gardens and arable.
 

World Distribution: A Eurasian Wide-temperate species (65), distributed across most of Europe to Siberia. Also found in North America.
 

Irish Status: Widespread and common on most types of ground, but perhaps especially in montane dwarf shrub heath.
 

Ecology: One of the three large, eurytopic black Pterostichus found in Ireland, the others being P. madidus and P. melanarius. Predominantly a forest species in Europe, but common also in upland heaths, hedgerows, pasture and coastal habitats here. Possibly restricted to drier, more wooded habitats than P. melanarius, and slightly less common towards the west. A very successful coloniser of upland conifer plantations, and a significant predator in arable cultivation.