Bug Identifier
Black Ground Beetle
Community identification

Black Ground Beetle

Harpalus pensylvanicus

Order & Family
Coleoptera: Carabidae
Size
13–16 mm (approx. 0.5–0.6 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.