Range expansion within the northern USA by the accidentally introduced Carabus granulatus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Abstract

The Palearctic ground beetle Carabus granulatus Linneaus, 1758 has been accidentally introduced to North America on multiple occasions. We review previous reports of its North American colonization history, and document range expansion into northern California, Montana, New York state, Vermont, and Maine. We also review its several reported interceptions. The species is eurytopic, occupying marginal heathland and open wet forest habitats in the Old World, and is not particularly associated with human habitation. New World populations retain these habitat preferences, with established introductions often occurring along coastlines or waterways. Spread by the flightless C. granulatus in North America is compared to two other carabid species introduced to North America: 1, the exceedingly synanthropic, also flightless, Carabus nemoralis Müller; and 2, the flight-capable, extremely eurytopic Nebria brevicollis (F.). Geographic expansion in all three species is positively associated with breadth of habitat preference, dispersal ability, and degree of synanthropic association. For all three species, transport via human activities is an important factor promoting range expansion. Based on the Palearctic distribution of C. granulatus, its North American range can be expected to expand trans-continentally, coalescing populations originating from the independent colonizations, while also expanding southward where habitats meet the ecological criteria necessary for the species' persistence.

Citation

Liebherr, James K.; Liebhold, Andrew M.; Woo, Brandon; Hajek, Ann E. 2023. Range expansion within the northern USA by the accidentally introduced Carabus granulatus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Carabidae). BioInvasions Records. 12(2): 593-607. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2023.12.2.22.