Bug Identifier
Ground Beetle
Community identification

Ground Beetle

Harpalus caliginosus

Order & Family
Coleoptera: Carabidae
Size
18 - 26 mm (0.7 - 1.0 in)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Under stones, leaf litter, debris, soil edges, lawns, and gardens

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous, feeding on seeds (especially weed seeds) and small invertebrates like caterpillars, snails, and slugs

Behavior Patterns

Mostly nocturnal, fast-moving on the ground, often attracted to outdoor lights at night, hides under cover during the day

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans and pets; highly beneficial to gardens and agricultural ecosystems as a biological control agent for pests and weed seeds