Bug Identifier
Ground Beetle
Community identification

Ground Beetle

Harpalus pensylvanicus (likely)

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera; Family: Carabidae
Size
Typically 13 to 25 mm in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in gardens, under logs, leaf litter, and occasionally wander indoors near light sources.

Diet & Feeding

Mostly predatory, feeding on other insects, snails, and slugs; some species also consume seeds.

Behavior Patterns

Night-active insects that are attracted to lights. They are fast runners and usually stay on the ground.

Risks & Benefits

Generally beneficial to the ecosystem as they control pest populations. They pose no direct risk to humans, though some may release an odor if handled.