Ground Beetle

Scientific Name: Family Carabidae

Order & Family: Order Coleoptera, Family Carabidae

Size: 2 mm to 35 mm depending on the specific genus

Ground Beetle

Natural Habitat

Found under rocks, logs, leaves, and debris on the ground; often enters homes through small cracks.

Diet & Feeding

Mostly predatory, eating other insects, slugs, snails, and caterpillars; some species consume seeds.

Behavior Patterns

Primarily nocturnal and very fast runners; they hide during the day and are often attracted to porch lights at night.

Risks & Benefits

Beneficial to ecosystems as natural pest control; they are harmless to humans, though some may emit a foul odor or rarely pinch if handled.

Identified on: 6/30/2026