Dyschirius (Dyschiriodes) aratus
Geographic: NEA
Distribution: Native, New World. Canada – AB, BC, MB; México – BJ, CS, GJ, NA, PU, SI,
SO; USA – AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY.
Common name: Plowing Discolored Beetle
Synonym: Dyschirius aratus LeConte, 1852:196
Macrohabitat: Lowlands (below sea level) to uplands, -70 – 2621 meters altitude,
on river banks and back-washes, lake shores, sandy prairies, and borders of reservoirs.
Microhabitat: Adults are ground-dwelling on exposed wet sandy-muddy substrate with
almost no vegetation. Dispersal abilities: Macropterous, capable of flight; slow runners;
strong burrowers. Seasonal occurrence: Adults have been found in January – December.
Behavior: Adults are nocturnal, predaceous, and take cover during the day in burrows they
dig in the substrate. Populations of this species are associated with staphylinids (Bledius ssp.).
In the northern part of their range, adults overwinter in the substrate; in the southern part,
they likely aestivate during the dry season in the substrate. Adults are attracted to lights, including
both MV & UV.