Forest caterpillar hunter
Calosoma sycophanta
The ''Calosoma sycophanta'' or forest caterpillar hunter is a large, bright green, metallic ground beetle that is native to Europe. In 1905 it was imported to New England for control of the gypsy moth. The species is a voracious consumer of caterpillars during both its larval stage and as an adult.
As a predator the species has been researched for the effect of its predation upon the caterpillars with microsporidian pathogens, finding a preference for ''Vairimorpha disparis'' infected larva.
As a predator the species has been researched for the effect of its predation upon the caterpillars with microsporidian pathogens, finding a preference for ''Vairimorpha disparis'' infected larva.
