Bug Identifier
Black Ground Beetle
Community identification

Black Ground Beetle

Harpalus pennsylvanicus

Order & Family
Coleoptera: Carabidae
Size
10 to 15 mm (approx. 0.5 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Under stones, leaf litter, fields, and occasionally entering homes during transitions in weather

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous, feeding on other insects, larvae, and various weed seeds

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal hunters that are attracted to lights at night; they are fast runners and mostly move along the ground

Risks & Benefits

Beneficial to ecosystems as they control pest insect populations and consume weed seeds; they are harmless to humans and do not infest food or property