Hobbies And Interests
Habitat
The tundra is made up of three different biomes: forest tundra, tundra, and the polar desert. Beetles do not inhabit the polar desert, which occurs from the 75 north line of latitude. The tundra is generally between 75 and 66 degrees, depending on the treeline which varies from east to west. Where the treeline begins in places like the Canadian Yukon province is forest tundra. More than 300 species of beetle occur in the tundra and forest tundra.
Carabidae Family
Although there are other kinds of beetles in the tundra, such as the Trachypachidae and Rhysodidaethe, the species of both the Eurasian and American tundra beetle populations is heavily dominated by the Carabidae family. This family of ground beetles is divided into categories that etymologists call genera or tribes. It is estimated that there are 930 members of the Carabidae family in the Canadian tundra alone.
Feeding Habits
Carabidae beetles, which dominate the tundra beetles, are omnivorous and feed upon the larvae of other insects, plant matter and carrion. They can also be predatory, hunting and eating smaller adult insects. They will also cannibalize their own if food supplies are scarce. Their diverse diet has contributed to their success in the harsh climate of the Eurasian and North American arctic and sub-arctic climate.
Species Distribution
There are many species of beetle that can be found in the tundra and forest tundra of both Eurasia and North America. In Eurasia more than 90 species have been found in the tundra, and when the forest tundra area is added the number climbs to 170. In North America the number of tundra beetle species is 65, and this number climbs to 85 when combined with species that inhabit the forest tundra.