Common Ground Beetle / Chlaenius Beetle

Damp environments near water, meadows, marshes, and garden areas with plenty of vegetation/leaf litter.

Carnivorous predator feeding on other insects, slugs, snails, and various invertebrate larvae.

Nocturnal hunters that are fast runners. They often emit a pungent, unpleasant odor from pygidial glands when disturbed to deter predators.

Highly beneficial to the ecosystem and gardens as they provide natural pest control for slugs and caterpillars. They are harmless to humans but may release a foul odor if handled.