Laemostenus

{{Short description|Genus of beetles}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Carabidae - Laemostenus janthinus.JPG

| image_caption = Laemostenus janthinus

| display_parents = 3

| taxon = Laemostenus

| authority = Bonelli, 1810

| subdivision_ranks = Subgenera and species

| subdivision = See text

}}

Laemostenus is a genus of ground beetles present on all continents on Earth, except Antarctica.

There are nearly 200 species in the genus, divided into several subgenera. Beetles of the genus are about 8 to 28 millimeters long. Many are dark in color with a blue or purple sheen. Others, especially subterranean and cave-dwelling species, are depigmented, much lighter in color, with reduced eyes.Lohaj, R. and A. Casale. (2011). [http://www.zobodat.at/pdf/ActaEntSlov_19_0043-0050.pdf Laemostenus (Iranosphodrus) rudichae, new subgenus and new species of sphodrine beetle from Iran (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Sphodrini).] Acta Entomologica Slovenica 19(1) 43-50.