Black Ground Beetle

Natural Habitat

Fields, gardens, and under rocks, debris, or leaf litter; they frequently enter homes through small cracks but do not establish indoor nests.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they primarily eat seeds from weeds and smaller insects like slugs, snails, and caterpillars.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal hunters that are attracted to lights at night. They are fast runners and generally shy away from human contact. Most species have a one-year life cycle and hibernate as larvae or adults.

Risks & Benefits

They are beneficial to garden ecosystems as they consume common pests and weed seeds. They are harmless to humans, although some may emit a strong odor or use their mandibles to nip if handled roughly.

Identified on: 12/27/2025