Ground Beetle

Natural Habitat

Ground beetles are found in a wide range of terrestrial habitats, including forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, gardens, and urban spaces. They typically live on or near the ground, under leaf litter, stones, logs, or in soil crevices. They may enter homes, particularly basements, garages, or ground-level rooms, often seeking shelter or moisture.

Diet & Feeding

Most ground beetles are predatory, feeding on a variety of other invertebrates such as insects, their larvae, slugs, snails, and earthworms. Some species are omnivorous, consuming both animal matter and plant seeds, while a smaller number are herbivorous.

Behavior Patterns

Ground beetles are primarily nocturnal, hunting for prey at night and hiding during the day under objects like rocks, logs, or leaf litter. They are fast runners when disturbed. Some species can emit foul-smelling secretions from glands at the rear of their bodies as a defense mechanism when threatened.

Risks & Benefits

Ground beetles are largely beneficial to ecosystems as natural predators of many agricultural and garden pests, helping to control populations of caterpillars, slugs, and other harmful insects. They pose virtually no risk to humans; they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases, and are not known to damage property or food stores. Their presence indoors is typically a nuisance rather than a threat.

Identified on: 6/27/2025