
Community identification
Black Ground Beetle
Harpalus pensylvanicus
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera: Carabidae
- Size
- 13–16 mm (approx. 0.5–0.6 inches)
Natural Habitat
Fields, gardens, and near human dwellings, often hiding under stones or logs during the day.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; feeds on ragweed seeds, various other plant seeds, and small insects or larvae.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal hunters that are frequently attracted to lights at night and may wander indoors.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans; provides ecological benefits by consuming pest insect larvae and weed seeds.