The presence of BC's largest ants is given away by the pile of sawdust that collects at the base of the tree where they have excavated their living galleries. They are a favourite food of Pileated Woodpeckers - the woodpecker's square holes are most probably former ant galleries.
Ground beetles have an armour coating of thickened forewings called "elytra" that cover their clear hindwings and protect them from predators. There are many species of ground beetles that feed on other insects in both the larva and adult stages.
These beetles are attracted to places where other insects feed, such as carrion or manure. The Hairy Rove Beetle dines on flies, maggots and other beetles, while the Pie-Killer Beetle eats flies on manure. If threatened, a rove beetle will curl up to expose the yellow stripes on its abdomen that make it look like a Yellow Jacket wasp.
Click here to return to Grasslands Communities and Habitats
home
how you can help
contact
Print This Page
Email this page