Limodromus assimilis (Paykull, 1790)

In the UK this species has long been known as Platynus assimilis (Paykull, 1790) and will sometimes be found as Agonum assimilis (Paykull, 1790) in the literature; our only representative of Platynus Bonelli, 1810 is now P. livens (Gyllenhal, 1810), which is also quoted in older literature as Agonum livens (Gyllenhal, 1810) and more generally as Batenus livens (Gyllenhal, 1810), the nomenclature seems to be settled for the time being but in any case the species are very distinct and it should be obvious from the general morphology which species is being considered. Limodromus assimilis is generally common throughout the Palaearctic region from northern Spain through Europe, Asia Minor and Russia to China, Japan and Korea, extending north into central Fennoscandia and the UK where it is locally common north to the Scottish Highlands. Typical habitats are permanently damp or wet woodland, especially near water and, at least on the continent, especially in shaded and cooler situations with abundant alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.)), willow (Salix L.) or ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), they also occur, though less frequently, in coniferous woodland and have been recorded up to 1500m altitude in Europe. Adults occur year-round and are mostly nocturnal; they live for up to 3 years and may breed for several seasons, they overwinter under bark or among litter and tussocks etc, often in small aggregations, are active from the first mild days of January or February and by March, when they often form larger aggregations, they are generally common. Breeding occurs from April until the middle of June and larvae develop rapidly and without a diapause into July or August, they pupate in the ground and new-generation adults appear in the autumn. Adults may diapause in the warmest part of the summer and become inactive during colder winter spells but may otherwise be active throughout the year. Wing development is variable but most specimens are fully winged although they rarely fly and their flight is weak, conversely they can run and climb trees rapidly and this is probably their primary method of dispersion. They are easily sampled throughout the year by pitfall trapping, turning logs or debris or by searching through damp litter in shaded woodland.