Paranchus albipes (Fabricius, 1796)

This small genus of 4 species was formerly included in the subgenus Anchus (Leconte, 1854) of Agonum Bonelli, 1810. There are 4 described species; P. debilis (Wollaston, 1864) and P. nichollsii (Wollaston, 1854) from The Canary Islands and Madeira, P. euthemon (Andrews, 1930) from Sumatra, and P. albipes (Fabricius, 1796) which is a widespread Palaearctic species also occurring in northwest Africa, Madeira and The Canaries. It also occurs as an adventive in the north-eastern United States. In the U.K. P. albipes is widespread, including all the islands north to The Shetlands, generally common and often abundant in wetland situations including the seashore. Adults occur year round and may be found in just about any marginal habitat, during the winter among litter and under debris or bark on logs near water. They also occur in open situations and damp woodland. They may sometimes be found in large aggregations, hiding by day and active nocturnally although during hot weather they may be found active at any time. When disturbed the adults may be observed skimming across the water surface. They breed mainly in the autumn; larvae have been recorded during the winter, and to a lesser extent also in the spring.

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The pale appendages, medium size and elongate form make the species distinctive among the U.K. carabids. The colour varies from very dark brown through pale brown with lighter margins to almost maroon. 6.5-9mm. Dorsally rather flat, without any metallic lustre. Head with well developed frontal furrows and two setiferous pores beside the eyes. The third antennal segment is glabrous. Pronotum cordate; wider than the head, with sharp hind angles. Base strongly punctured. The elytral striae are well impressed and without punctures, the interstices convex and the third with 2 setiferous punctures. The epipleura are not crossed, the margin only weakly sinuate before the apex. Wings full. Legs, especially the tibiae, long and slender. Tarsi with a median longitudinal furrow. Claws simple not toothed. Basal segments of the pro-tarsi are dilated in the male.