Carabidae
Guides
Harpalus ellipsis
Harpalus ellipsis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae. First described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1848, this beetle belongs to one of the largest genera of ground beetles in North America. The genus Harpalus contains numerous species that are primarily granivorous as adults, feeding on weed seeds, while larvae are predatory on soil-dwelling insects. Members of this genus are commonly found in agricultural and disturbed habitats across temperate regions.
Harpalus erraticus
Medora Harp Ground Beetle
Harpalus erraticus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, found in North America. It is one of numerous Harpalus species occurring in the United States and Canada. Like other members of the genus, it is a ground-dwelling beetle active in open habitats. The specific epithet "erraticus" suggests variable or wandering habits, though detailed behavioral studies are limited. The species has been documented in agricultural and natural settings, with 252 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Harpalus erythropus
Harpalus erythropus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, first described by Pierre François Marie Auguste Dejean in 1829. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Harpalus, which contains numerous species of ground beetles distributed across North America and other regions. Like other members of its genus, this species is likely adapted to ground-dwelling habits in various terrestrial habitats. The specific epithet "erythropus" refers to reddish legs, a characteristic feature of this species.
Harpalus faunus
Harpalus faunus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, first described by Thomas Say in 1823. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Harpalus, which contains numerous species across North America and other regions. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-dwelling predator that inhabits open terrestrial environments. The species has been recorded from Canada and the United States, with observations documented in the northern parts of its range.
Harpalus fraternus
Harpalus fraternus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. The species is native to western Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Harpalus, it is a ground-dwelling predator.
Harpalus fulvilabris
Harpalus fulvilabris is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by Carl Gustaf Mannerheim in 1853. It belongs to the genus Harpalus, one of the most diverse genera of Carabidae with over 400 described species. The species is classified within the newly described subgenus Meroharpalus, established with H. fulvilabris as its type species. This subgenus is part of a broader systematic reorganization of the genus Harpalus based on adult morphological characters.
Harpalus fuscipalpis
Harpalus fuscipalpis is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by Sturm in 1818. It belongs to the genus Harpalus, one of the largest genera of ground beetles. The species has a Holarctic distribution, with records from Alaska, Armenia, Austria, and Azerbaijan. As a member of the Carabidae family, it is likely a predatory beetle, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Harpalus gravis
Harpalus gravis is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1858. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Harpalus, which contains numerous ground beetle species found across North America. Like other members of this genus, H. gravis is likely a nocturnal or crepuscular predator that forages on the ground surface. The specific epithet 'gravis' (Latin for 'heavy' or 'serious') may allude to some aspect of its physical characteristics or behavior.
Harpalus herbivagus
Harpalus herbivagus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae. First described by Thomas Say in 1823, this species is native to North America with documented occurrence in Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Harpalus, it is a ground-dwelling beetle typically found in terrestrial habitats. The species name 'herbivagus' suggests herbivorous or plant-associated feeding habits, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Harpalus indianus
Harpalus indianus is a ground beetle species in the subfamily Harpalalinae, described by Csiki in 1932. It belongs to the diverse genus Harpalus, which contains numerous species of ground beetles distributed across North America. The species has been recorded in Canada and the United States.
Harpalus innocuus
Harpalus innocuus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. The species belongs to the large genus Harpalus, which contains numerous ground beetle species distributed across North America and other regions. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-dwelling predatory beetle.
Harpalus katiae
Harpalus katiae is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by F. Battoni in 1985. It belongs to the large genus Harpalus, which contains numerous ground beetle species distributed across multiple continents. As with most members of this genus, it is likely a nocturnal predator inhabiting open, dry habitats, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Harpalus lewisii
Lewis' harpaline beetle
Harpalus lewisii is a ground beetle species in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1865. It is a medium-sized carabid beetle measuring 11–15 mm in length. The species occurs in northeastern North America, with documented records from both Canada and the United States. As a member of the large genus Harpalus, it shares the general ground beetle morphology but is distinguished by specific characteristics that allow identification to species level.
Harpalus megacephalus
Harpalus megacephalus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalalinae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1848. The species epithet "megacephalus" (Greek for "large-headed") likely refers to a relatively enlarged head capsule compared to congeners. As a member of the large genus Harpalus, it belongs to a group of primarily nocturnal, ground-dwelling beetles commonly found in open habitats across North America.
Harpalus obnixus
Harpalus obnixus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalalinae, described by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1924. As a member of the genus Harpalus, it belongs to one of the largest genera within the Carabidae family. The species is documented from North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. Like other ground beetles in this genus, it is presumed to be a ground-dwelling predator, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Harpalus opacipennis
Harpalus opacipennis is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by Haldeman in 1843. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Harpalus, which contains numerous species of medium-sized ground beetles distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. The species name 'opacipennis' refers to the dull or opaque appearance of the elytra (wing covers). Like other members of Harpalus, this species is likely a generalist predator and scavenger, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Harpalus providens
Harpalus providens is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1914. As a member of the large genus Harpalus, it belongs to one of the most diverse groups of carabid beetles in North America. The species is known from limited occurrence records in Canada and the United States, with observations documented through citizen science platforms. Like other Harpalus species, it likely occupies open, dry habitats where it functions as an omnivorous ground-dwelling predator and seed-feeder.
Harpalus puncticeps
Harpalus puncticeps is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae. The species was described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1914. Taxonomic records indicate some nomenclatural complexity, with the species also referenced under Stephens (1828) as Glanodes puncticeps in some databases. It is currently classified within the genus Harpalus, though some sources list it under the subgenus Ophonus (Metophonus).
Harpalus retractus
Harpalus retractus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. It is recorded from Mexico and the United States. Like other members of the genus Harpalus, it is a nocturnal ground beetle. The species is part of a large genus containing over 400 species worldwide, with many species being granivorous as adults.
Harpalus rubripes
Red-legged Harpalus
Harpalus rubripes is a medium-sized ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, characterized by its distinctive reddish legs that give the species its name. Native to the Palearctic region, it has established populations across much of Europe, extending eastward through Siberia and Central Asia to Anatolia. The species was introduced to North America, with records dating from 1987 onward. Like other members of the genus Harpalus, it is primarily nocturnal and ground-dwelling.
Harpalus rufipes
strawberry seed beetle
Harpalus rufipes is a trans-palearctic ground beetle commonly known as the strawberry seed beetle. Adults are active from April through November in temperate regions. The species functions as a significant weed seed predator in agricultural ecosystems, with larvae and adults feeding on seeds of various grasses and agricultural crops. It has been widely studied as a biological control agent for weed management and serves as a host for multiple parasites including the braconid wasp Microctonus caudatus and the gregarine protozoan Clitellocephalus ophoni.
Harpalus somnulentus
Harpalus somnulentus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae. It was first described by Pierre François Marie Auguste Dejean in 1829. The species belongs to the large genus Harpalus, which contains numerous ground beetle species distributed across North America and other regions. As a member of the Carabidae family, it is a predatory beetle likely active in terrestrial habitats.
Harpalus texanus
Harpalus texanus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by Casey in 1914. As a member of the large genus Harpalus, it belongs to the family Carabidae, one of the most diverse beetle families. The species is known from the United States, with records indicating presence in North America. Like other Harpalus species, it is likely a nocturnal ground-dwelling beetle, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Harpalus ventralis
Harpalus ventralis is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, subfamily Harpalinae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1848. The species is native to North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Harpalus, it is a nocturnal, ground-dwelling beetle.
Hartonymus alternatus
Hartonymus alternatus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by LeConte in 1863. It is native to North America and has been recorded from the United States. As a member of the Harpalinae subfamily, it belongs to a diverse group of ground beetles. Very little specific biological information is available for this species.
Hartonymus hoodi
Hartonymus hoodi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Thomas L. Casey in 1914. It belongs to the tribe Harpalini within the subfamily Harpalinae. The species is documented from North America, with distribution records from the United States.
Helluomorphoides
Flat-horned Ground Beetles
Helluomorphoides is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, established by Ball in 1951. The genus contains more than 20 described species and is classified within the subfamily Anthiinae and tribe Helluonini. These beetles are commonly referred to as Flat-horned Ground Beetles, a name reflecting a distinctive morphological feature of the group.
Helluomorphoides clairvillei
flat-horned ground beetle
Helluomorphoides clairvillei is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Anthiinae, characterized by the flattened, horn-like projections on the head that give the group its common name. The species was described by Dejean in 1831 and is known from the United States. Like other members of the genus, it belongs to a specialized lineage of carabid beetles with distinctive morphological adaptations. Records indicate extremely limited observation data, with only two documented observations in iNaturalist.
Helluomorphoides ferrugineus
flat-horned ground beetle
Helluomorphoides ferrugineus is a species of flat-horned ground beetle in the family Carabidae. The species was originally described as Helluomorpha ferruginea by LeConte in 1853. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from the United States and Mexico. As a member of the subfamily Anthiinae, it belongs to a group of ground beetles commonly referred to as flat-horned ground beetles.
Helluomorphoides latitarsis
flat-horned ground beetle
Helluomorphoides latitarsis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Anthiinae. It is found in North America, with records from Mexico and the United States. As a member of the tribe Helluonini, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly referred to as flat-horned ground beetles. The species was originally described by Casey in 1913 under the name Helluomorpha latitarsis.
Helluomorphoides papago
Helluomorphoides papago is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Casey in 1913. It belongs to the subfamily Anthiinae, a group of carabid beetles often associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus, it is likely adapted to hot, dry habitats. Published biological information remains limited.
Helluomorphoides praeustus
flat-horned ground beetle
Helluomorphoides praeustus is a species of flat-horned ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was originally described as Helluo praeustus by Dejean in 1825. The species is recognized to have three subspecies: H. p. bicolor, H. p. floridanus, and H. p. praeustus. It occurs in North America, with distribution records from the United States.
Helluomorphoides praeustus bicolor
Helluomorphoides praeustus bicolor is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, tribe Helluonini. It is one of two recognized subspecies of H. praeustus, distinguished by its bicolored elytral pattern. The subspecies was described by T.W. Harris in 1828 and occurs in North America, with confirmed records from the United States. Like other members of the genus, it belongs to a group of carabid beetles sometimes referred to as 'bombardier beetles' or 'flanged bombardier beetles' due to defensive chemical capabilities found in related taxa, though specific defensive chemistry for this subspecies has not been documented.
Helluomorphoides texanus
Helluomorphoides texanus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, subfamily Anthiinae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. The species is distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the tribe Helluonini, it is characterized by an elongated, somewhat flattened body form. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Helluonini
Flat-horned Ground Beetles
Helluonini is a tribe of ground beetles within the subfamily Anthiinae, containing more than 20 genera and approximately 190 described species. Members are distributed across tropical and subtropical regions including the Oriental, Ethiopian, and Palaearctic realms. The tribe includes medium-sized beetles (8–17 mm) with characteristic elongate bodies, coarse punctation, and pubescence. The genus Macrocheilus, the most speciose in the tribe with 56 species, exemplifies the group's morphological diversity across Africa, Asia, and Madagascar.
Horologion
Horologion is one of the rarest and most enigmatic carabid beetle genera, containing two known species of troglomorphic ground beetles endemic to the middle Appalachian Mountains. The genus remained monotypic for over 60 years after its description in 1932, with a second species discovered in Virginia in 1991 and described in 2024. Phylogenetic analysis places Horologion in supertribe Trechitae as sister to the Gondwanan tribe Bembidarenini, making tribe Horologionini a relict lineage with no close relatives in the Northern Hemisphere.
Horologion hubbardi
Horologion hubbardi is a newly described species of carabid beetle from Bath County, Virginia. It represents only the second known species in the genus Horologion, which was previously known solely from a single holotype collected in West Virginia in 1931. DNA sequence data and morphological analysis place the genus in the supertribe Trechitae, as sister to the Gondwanan tribe Bembidarenini. The species is considered a relict lineage with no close relatives known in the Northern Hemisphere.
Hyboptera
Hyboptera is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, established by Chaudoir in 1873. The genus comprises fourteen described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Several species have been described relatively recently, with seven named between 2004 and 2017, indicating ongoing taxonomic work. Members of this genus are classified within the subtribe Agrina of the tribe Lebiini.
Hyboptera auxiliadora
Auxiliadora's humped-wing carabid beetle
Hyboptera auxiliadora is a species of ground beetle described by Erwin in 2004. It belongs to the genus Hyboptera, which is characterized by humped-wing morphology. The species occurs in Central America and parts of North America, with confirmed records from Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama. It is a member of the subfamily Lebiinae within the family Carabidae.
Hybothecus
Hybothecus is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) established by Chaudoir in 1874. The genus contains seven described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Species have been recorded from Central and South America, with some described from Ecuador. The genus belongs to the subtribe Pterostichina within the tribe Pterostichini.
Ilopina
Ilopina is a genus of small ground beetles in the family Carabidae. These beetles are part of the diverse Bembidiinae subfamily, which contains many species adapted to riparian and moist habitats. The genus is characterized by its compact body form and association with wet environments.
Infernophilus
Infernophilus is a genus of ground beetles (family Carabidae) established by Larson in 1969. It is monotypic, containing only the species Infernophilus castaneus. The genus belongs to the subtribe Agrina within the tribe Lebiini. It is endemic to the United States.
Infernophilus castaneus
Infernophilus castaneus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1882. The genus Infernophilus belongs to the tribe Lebiini within the subfamily Lebiinae. The specific epithet 'castaneus' refers to a chestnut brown coloration. Distribution records indicate presence in the United States and North America.
Lachnocrepis
Lachnocrepis is a subgenus of ground beetles within the genus Oodes (family Carabidae), established by LeConte in 1853. It was historically treated as a full genus but was downgraded to subgenus status within Oodes based on morphological character analysis. The subgenus currently contains two recognized species: Oodes (Lachnocrepis) desertus and Oodes (Lachnocrepis) japonicus. These species occur in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions, including China and Taiwan. Members of this subgenus share high morphological similarity with other Oodini, contributing to historical taxonomic confusion.
Lachnocrepis parallela
Lachnocrepis parallela is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Licininae. Originally described by Thomas Say in 1830, it is currently treated as a synonym of Oodes parallelus. The species has been recorded from Canada and the United States, including Vermont. As a member of the tribe Oodini, it belongs to a group of carabid beetles often associated with moist habitats.
Lachnophorini
Lachnophorini is a tribe of ground beetles (family Carabidae) comprising approximately 18 genera and more than 190 described species. The tribe exhibits remarkable morphological diversity and divergent ecological habits, with most species being very small (less than 3.74 mm in adult body length). A 2014 taxonomic synopsis added a new genus (Peruphorticus) and 24 new species, significantly expanding known diversity. The tribe shows distinct biogeographic patterns, with Neotropical species in the Amazon Basin and Middle and South America, and additional representatives in the Paleotropics and Australia. Recent research indicates local ecological adaptation and morphological convergence related to habitat use within the Amazon Basin radiation.
Lachnophorus elegantulus
Lachnophorus elegantulus is a species of ground beetle described by Mannerheim in 1843. It belongs to the tribe Lachnophorini within the subfamily Lebiinae. The species is documented from North America. Available information is limited, with 68 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Laemostenus
Laemostenus is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) comprising nearly 200 species distributed across all continents except Antarctica. Species range from 8 to 28 mm in length. Many exhibit dark coloration with blue or purple metallic sheen, while subterranean and cave-dwelling species show depigmentation, reduced eyes, and lighter coloration. The genus includes both surface-dwelling and hypogean (subterranean) species, with several subgenera recognized.
Laemostenus complanatus
Cosmopolitan Ground Beetle
Laemostenus complanatus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, native to Europe. It has been introduced to the Azores, where it is now established on multiple islands. The species is sometimes called the Cosmopolitan Ground Beetle, reflecting its spread beyond its native range. It belongs to a genus of predominantly nocturnal predatory beetles.
Lebia
colorful foliage ground beetles, flat ground beetles
Lebia is a large genus of predatory ground beetles (Carabidae) comprising over 700 species in 17 subgenera with worldwide distribution. Members are frequently encountered on foliage and flowers, where their often brilliant metallic coloration makes them conspicuous despite small to medium size. The genus is notable within Carabidae for including species with parasitoid larval stages, a rare life history strategy among ground beetles. Adults are active predators of small insects, while larvae of at least some species are obligate parasitoids of beetle prepupae.