Pantropical Carabidae: Studies of the genus Plochionus Dejean 1821, the tent-caterpillar hunters. Garner, B. H. & Erwin, T.L

The pantropical genus Plochionus is of interest taxonomically, ecologically and economically. These tent- caterpillar hunters are predatory on the eggs and larvae of lasiocampid and arctiid Lepidoptera and exhibit this behaviour across their known distribution. Not only is this life history fascinating, it may have future implications for bio-control and raising their status as beneficial insects. One species, P. timidus Haldeman, has been reared under laboratory conditions and the entire life cycle documented including description of the larva (Duffey, 1892). In order to understand this enigmatic genus of lebiines, a revision of the taxonomy is essential. This group comprises 20 known species and subspecies (including one fossil) within two subgenera and has not been significantly revised since the original description in 1821. This group awaits the description of a number of new species most of which have resulted from investigations into the canopy fauna in tropical rainforests using fogging techniques. Here we will report on the progress of this revision including distributions of known species, updates on life-histories and a new taxonomy.