
Community identification
Black Ground Beetle
Harpalus pennsylvanicus
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera: Carabidae
- Size
- 10 to 15 mm (approx. 0.5 inches)
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