Ground beetles are found all over the world. In North America alone there are thought to be 2,200 different species. They make up one of the largest groups of beetles in North America.
They live in woods, gardens, under stones and boards.
They have a long, shiny, black body. They have rounded wing covers with long grooves. They have long thin antennae and their head is smaller than their thorax.
Adult beetles are active at night (nocturnal) and during the day they hide under rocks or logs. They will run if you get near them. They are harmless to humans.
They eat other insects like caterpillars, maggots, and snails. This makes them helpful to gardeners (beneficial).
Female ground beetles lay eggs in the soil.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
Genus: Pterostichus
Species: P. melanarius
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Amsel, Sheri. "Beetle (Common Ground)" Exploring Nature Educational Resource ©2005-2024. March 27, 2024
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