Bembidion inaequale
David R. MaddisonAdult External Characteristics
Distinct mirrors present on intervals 2 through 7; outer mirrors on intervals 6 and 7 near posterior silver spots, in many specimens isolated from inner mirrors. Pronotum without a long basilateral carina, with or without a midlateral seta (specimens in eastern populations generally lack the midlateral seta).
Male Genitalia
Aedeagus with prominent ventral bulge and hooked apex; Ventral Sclerite Patch scaly, as in B. levettei.
Comparison with Related Species
Compare with:
Adults are generally smaller than those of B. levettei, from which they differ externally by small silver spots, and the mirror on elytral intervals 6 and 7 being positioned further posteriorly, near the posterior silver spot. Generally the outer mirror is a small spot, isolated from the inner mirrors, but in some specimens it is broadly connected to inner mirrors. Eastern members of B. inaequale are more readily distinguished from B. levettei specimens by the narrow forebody with deeply punctured striae, pale tibia, and lack of a midlateral seta on the pronotum. See Separating B. inaequale from B. levettei for pictures.
Geographic Variation
A variable species. Specimens from east of the Great Plains are shinier, with narrower body, deep elytral punctures, lack the midlateral seta of the pronotum, and have paler legs. Specimens from Alberta are much larger and broader, with a reddish cast, smaller silver spots, more extensive mirrors, and generally with a midlateral pronotal seta. Specimens from the western mountains are similar to those from Alberta, but are darker and smaller.
Geographic Distribution
Widely distributed in North America from Nova Scotia, south to Georgia and Alabama, west to Colorado and California, north to Alaska.
Nomenclature
- Bembidium inaequalis Say 1823. Neotype male in MCZ.
- Bembidium arenarium Dejean 1831
- Bembidium lacustre LeConte 1848
- Bembidion opaciceps Casey 1918
About This Page
David R. Maddison
Oregon State University
Page copyright © 1995 David R. Maddison
Page: Tree of Life Bembidion inaequale Authored by . David R. Maddison. The TEXT of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License - Version 3.0. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own license, and they may or may not be available for reuse. Click on an image or a media link to access the media data window, which provides the relevant licensing information. For the general terms and conditions of ToL material reuse and redistribution, please see the Tree of Life Copyright Policies.
Citing this page:
Maddison, David R. 1995. Bembidion inaequale http://tolweb.org/Bembidion_inaequale/403/1995.01.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
. Version 01 January 1995 (under construction).