Latin Name:  Opisthius richardsoni Kirby, 1837
                        (G. Pohl, det.)

Length:  8.5 - 11.0 mm

Range: Alberta

Habitat: Stream and river margins  

Time of year seen: May - September (Additional Sightings)

Diet: predatory

Other: Opisthius richardsoni, the single species in the genus Opisthius, is a common species present from British Columbia east to Hudson Bay.  It is found on the margins of rivers and streams on sandy and clay rich ground.  Both the adults and larva are predators that hunt other small organisms.  On warm days the adults will fly when disturbed.  (Arnett et al, 2001) Their elytra have four rows of punctate depressions.  Coloration in these beetles ranges from green to purple.