Elaphrus (Elaphrus) californicus von Mannerheim 1843
Geographic: NEA
Distribution: Native, New World. Canada – AB, BC, MB , NB , NS , NT, ON , PE , PQ, SK ;
US A – AK, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL , IA, ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA, MA, MD , ME , MI , MN , MO ,
MT, NC, ND , NE , NH , NJ, NM , NV, NY , OH , OR , PA, SD , TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI,
WV, WY.
Common name: California Marsh and Bog beetle
Synonyms: Elaphrus californicus von Mannerheim, 1843:190
Elaphrus similis LeConte 1848:349
Elaphrus hesperius Casey 1920:138
Macrohabitat: Lowlands to mountains, 61 – 2345 meters altitude, in upland
freshwater sloughs, ponds, and marshes with emergent vegetation (Caracies & Thypha), on
river and stream banks, and dugouts, ditches, and wet pastures. Microhabitat: Adults are
ground-dwelling on exposed well-drained, almost horizontal, moist or wet clayish substrate,
even saline or alkaline substrate, and at bare spots surrounded by sparse vegetation; also found
under Potamogeton gramineus L. mats at beaver ponds. Dispersal abilities: Macropterous, capable
of flight; swift runners. Seasonal occurrence: Adults have been found in March –
December; In copula - May – June; teneral adults in late May – August, mostly after late June;
probably a spring breeder. Behavior: Adults are predaceous, gregarious and they hibernate
on higher dry substrate up to 5 cm deep in sandy substrate. They are attracted to white lights.
References: Erwin (1981), Goulet (1983), Larochelle (1973, 1974), Larochelle & Larivière
(2003), Lindroth, (1961). New data from CAS, NMNH, and UASM collections.
Note: According to Goulet (1983), adults in most regions are exclusively associated with clay
beaches, free of vegetation, along creeks, dugouts, and ditches. In California, adults are found
on sandy, silty and clayish beaches. Excluding such modified habitats, members of this species
are normally found along small rivers (except for specimens from Pennsylvania southward)
where wave and wind action is minimal. Beaches are sun-exposed and almost horizontal.
Adults run mostly on the moist portions avoiding the saturated portions. At Plummers Island,
Maryland, they are found commonly on wet silt near the water on both sides of the Channel
and along the Potomac River. Although cryptic in color and behavior, these beetles are made
active (and visible) by splashing water over the silt. They are active in the daytime, fully winged
and probably fly quite well, although they mostly run to escape capture (Erwin, 1981).