Chlaenius (Chlaenius) sericeus (Forster 1771)

Relatively common.

Adults collected in Alberta from April to mid-July.

Transamerican, spanning Canadian provinces but only known from the southern parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Colombia. In Alberta specimens have been collected as far north as Keoma.

Adults: 11.4 – 16.1 mm in length. Entire dorsal surface usually metallic green, though sometimes appears bronze and also can appear bluish when viewed obliquely; rarely with entire dorsal surface being blue. Antennae are long and slender. Pronotum is usually subquadrate, having a basal width of more than 90% of the greatest width across the pronotum; sides slightly sinuate near obtuse posterior angles; middle usually with the greatest width and with apex much narrower than the base; the lateral rim is slightly wider posteriorly and is usually somewhat translucent. Aedeagus with right paramere usually entire and obtusely pointed. Adapted from Bell 1960.

On moderately moist, firm ground with dense vegetation of Carex and grasses. Usually close to the borders of standing or running waters.

In Vermont eggs and first instar larvae are abundant in June. In males, the mesotibial brush is utilized in cleaning the dilated segments of the protarsi. Adults likely over-winter. Adapted from Bell 1960, and Lindroth 1963.

Members of this species that were reared in captivity were observed to feed largely on dead or dying insects while avoiding active prey (Bell 1960).

Chlaenius sericeus is a species in the beetle family Carabidae. It is found in the United States and Canada.