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 Identification Scientific Name: Pterostichus sp. Common Names: Arctic beetle, carabe arctique, carabique Classification Class: Insecta Order: Coleoptera Family: Carabidae Genus: Pterostichus Species: sp. |
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Habitat
As its name suggests, the Arctic beetle * lives in the Arctic.
Profile
Like all other insects, ground beetles are cold blooded, meaning that their bodies take on the temperature of their surroundings. So if the mercury drops to -20 ¡C, the insect's body will also cool to that point. This is why most insects cannot survive below freezing temperatures (0 ¡C).
The Arctic beetle is an exception. So as not to freeze, it produces a type of alcohol that serves as antifreeze. The glycerol lowers the freezing temperature of the blood (hemolymph) and other liquids in the insect's body, and prevents the formation of ice crystals that would rupture its cells and kill it.
Arctic beetles become more resistant to cold as temperatures drop and the days get shorter. Bit by bit, they reduce their volume of water and synthesize antifreezes such as glycerol, trehalose and sorbitol.
Pterostichus brevicornis is a predator, and adapts its eating habits to the climatic conditions in its environment. Since prey is hard to find at -40 ¡C, the insect feeds on rotting wood instead.
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