Carabidae
Guides
Scaphinotus guyotii
Guyot's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus guyotii is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Guyot's Snail-eating Beetle. It is a specialized snail predator found in the Appalachian region of eastern North America, inhabiting montane coniferous and mixed deciduous forests. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, reflecting adaptations to their forest floor habitat and predatory lifestyle. The species is named in honor of Arnold Henry Guyot, a 19th-century geographer and geologist.
Scaphinotus hoffmani
Scaphinotus hoffmani is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Barr in 2009. It belongs to the subfamily Carabinae, a group of large, predatory beetles commonly known as caterpillar hunters and snail hunters. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist woodland habitats where it preys on snails and other invertebrates.
Scaphinotus incompletus
incomplete snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus incompletus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the incomplete snail-eating beetle. It is one of the "snail-eating beetles" in the genus Scaphinotus, characterized by adaptations for predation on terrestrial mollusks. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait common in this genus that reflects their ground-dwelling lifestyle and reduced need for flight. The species is known from a restricted range in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States.
Scaphinotus infletus
Forgotten Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus infletus, commonly known as the forgotten snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to North America, with known occurrence in Arkansas. The species is characterized by brachypterous (short-winged) adults and inhabits moist, shaded environments. As a member of the genus Scaphinotus, it is presumed to be a molluscivore, feeding on snails and slugs.
Scaphinotus johnsoni
Johnson's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus johnsoni is a large ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the snail-eating beetles. It is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, where it inhabits coniferous forests in montane and subalpine zones. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), flightless, and nocturnal, with gregarious tendencies. As a member of the genus Scaphinotus, it is presumed to be a molluscivore, using its elongated jaws to extract snails from their shells.
Scaphinotus kelloggi
Kellogg's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus kelloggi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Dury in 1912. It is one of the 'snail hunter' carabids in the genus Scaphinotus, a group characterized by large size, powerful mandibles, and specialized predation on mollusks. The species is known from New Mexico, where it inhabits canyon environments with streams or rivers. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait common in this genus that reflects their ground-dwelling, non-dispersing lifestyle.
Scaphinotus longiceps
Long-headed Snail-eating Beetle, Humboldt ground beetle
Scaphinotus longiceps is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Long-headed Snail-eating Beetle or Humboldt ground beetle. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal. The species inhabits coastal temperate coniferous rainforests and mixed forests in California.
Scaphinotus marginatus
Margined Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus marginatus is a large, flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the margined snail-eating beetle. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, preying exclusively on snails and slugs. The species inhabits coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forests across western North America, typically near streams and lakes. It is distinguished from similar Scaphinotus species by subtle elytral margin characteristics and geographic distribution.
Scaphinotus obliquus
Oblique Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus obliquus is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the oblique snail-eating beetle. It belongs to the Carabinae subfamily, which includes specialized snail-hunting beetles characterized by their elongated jaws adapted for extracting snails from shells. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), rendering them flightless. The species occurs in forested regions of California and Oregon.
Scaphinotus oreophilus
mountain loving snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus oreophilus is a large ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the mountain loving snail-eating beetle. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), rendering them flightless. The species belongs to a group of "snail hunters" characterized by robust bodies and prominent, sculptured mandibles adapted for crushing mollusk shells. It occurs in montane regions of the western United States.
Scaphinotus parisiana
Ozark Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus parisiana, commonly known as the Ozark Snail-eating Beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to the Ozark region, specifically found in Arkansas within the Ouachita Mountains. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, inhabiting deciduous forest habitats. The species is one of the snail-eating beetles in the genus Scaphinotus, which are specialized predators of terrestrial mollusks.
Scaphinotus petersi
Peters' Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus petersi is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Roeschke in 1907. It belongs to the tribe Cychrini, commonly known as snail-eating beetles, and is endemic to North America. The species exhibits several described subspecies, all restricted to Arizona. Like other members of Scaphinotus, it is adapted for predation on terrestrial snails.
Scaphinotus petersi biedermani
Biederman's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus petersi biedermani is a subspecies of snail-eating ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It belongs to the nominate subfamily Carabinae, tribe Cychrini, and is one of the larger carabid beetles commonly referred to as 'snail hunters.' The subspecies was described by Roeschke in 1907. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it is presumed to be a specialized predator of snails and other mollusks, utilizing its elongated head and jaws to extract prey from shells.
Scaphinotus petersi catalinae
Catalina Mountains Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus petersi catalinae is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Van Dyke in 1924. It belongs to the nominate subfamily Carabinae, which includes the so-called "snail hunters" and "caterpillar hunters." This subspecies is endemic to the Catalina Mountains of Arizona and is one of the larger members of its genus, with adults typically measuring 15–25 mm in length. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it possesses notably large, sculptured mandibles adapted for predation on snails.
Scaphinotus petersi grahami
Graham's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus petersi grahami is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Van Dyke in 1938. It belongs to the tribe Cychrini, commonly known as snail-eating beetles, characterized by specialized mandibular adaptations for feeding on snails. The subspecies is part of the nominate subgenus Scaphinotus (Scaphinotus) within the genus Scaphinotus.
Scaphinotus petersi kathleenae
Kay's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus petersi kathleenae is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Ball in 1966. It belongs to the genus Scaphinotus, commonly known as snail-eating beetles, within the tribe Cychrini. The subspecies is recognized as valid and accepted in major taxonomic databases.
Scaphinotus petersi petersi
Scaphinotus petersi petersi is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Carabinae, and tribe Cychrini. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it belongs to the group commonly known as 'snail hunters' or 'caterpillar hunters'—large, predatory ground beetles characterized by prominent mandibles. The species was described by Roeschke in 1907. It is currently accepted as valid and is recorded from the United States.
Scaphinotus punctatus
Punctate Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus punctatus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the punctate snail-eating beetle. It is found in forests of Central America and western North America, including California and Baja California. Adults are nocturnal and brachypterous (short-winged). The species has been documented feeding on snails, caterpillars, berries, and other beetles.
Scaphinotus regularis
Measured Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus regularis, commonly known as the measured snail-eating beetle, is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae. The species belongs to the nominate subfamily Carabinae, a group of "snail hunters" and "caterpillar hunters" characterized by their large size and powerful mandibles. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal. The species inhabits forest environments in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Scaphinotus relictus
Relic Snail-eating Beetle, rilictual snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus relictus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Relic Snail-eating Beetle. This species is found in western North America, with records from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada southward through Idaho, Montana, Washington, and California in the United States. It inhabits deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forest habitats. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal in their activity patterns.
Scaphinotus ridingsii
Ridings' snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus ridingsii is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, classified within the tribe Cychrini (snail-eating beetles). The species was originally described as Cychrus ridingsii by Bland in 1863 and later transferred to Scaphinotus. It is known from North America, with two recognized subspecies: S. r. ridingsii in Virginia and S. r. monongahelae in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. As a member of the Cychrini tribe, it is presumed to be a specialized predator of land snails, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Scaphinotus ridingsii monongahelae
Scaphinotus ridingsii monongahelae is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Leng in 1917. It belongs to the genus Scaphinotus, commonly known as snail-eating beetles or snail hunters, which are specialized predators of terrestrial snails. The subspecies epithet "monongahelae" suggests an association with the Monongahela River region of the eastern United States. Like other members of the tribe Cychrini, this beetle possesses enlarged, asymmetrical mandibles adapted for extracting snails from their shells.
Scaphinotus rugiceps incipiens
Scaphinotus rugiceps incipiens is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Casey in 1897. It belongs to the nominate subfamily Carabinae within the tribe Cychrini, commonly known as snail hunters. The genus Scaphinotus comprises large-bodied beetles typically measuring 15-25 mm or more, characterized by prominent mandibular sculpturing. This subspecies is part of the rugiceps species complex within the subgenus Brennus.
Scaphinotus schwarzi
Schwarz's snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus schwarzi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Schwarz's snail-eating beetle. It is one of the "snail hunter" beetles in the nominate subfamily Carabinae, characterized by large size and specialized mandibular morphology adapted for predation on snails. The species is known from forest habitats in North Carolina. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal.
Scaphinotus snowi snowi
Scaphinotus snowi snowi is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. The species Scaphinotus snowi is closely related to other members of the genus Scaphinotus, which are specialized predators. Based on records of the nominate species, adults are associated with the host plant Robinia (black locust) and are active during fall. The subspecies is recorded from the United States.
Scaphinotus striatopunctatus
Pore-winged Snail-eating Beetle
A species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the pore-winged snail-eating beetle. It is native to California in western North America, where it inhabits deciduous forests, canyons, and grassy knolls. Adults are distinctive for being brachypterous (short-winged), gregarious, and nocturnal in their activity patterns.
Scaphinotus subtilis
Slender Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus subtilis, commonly known as the slender snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to California in North America. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, and the species is typically found near bodies of water.
Scaphinotus tricarinatus
Three-ridged Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus tricarinatus, the three-ridged snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a member of the Carabinae subfamily and Cychrini tribe, placing it among the so-called 'snail-eating' beetles. The species is found in the southeastern United States, specifically in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, inhabiting forested areas often in ravines along streams.
Scaphinotus unistriatus
One-lined Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus unistriatus is a large, flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the one-lined snail-eating beetle. It is endemic to a restricted range in North Carolina, where it inhabits mixed forest habitats on slopes. Adults are nocturnal and brachypterous (short-winged), rendering them incapable of flight. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it is specialized for predation on land snails, using its elongated head and jaws to extract prey from shells.
Scaphinotus violaceus
violet snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus violaceus is a flightless ground beetle native to the southeastern United States. Adults are brachypterous and nocturnal, inhabiting deciduous and mixed forests. The species is one of several snail-eating beetles in the genus Scaphinotus.
Scarites
big-headed ground beetle
Scarites is a genus of large ground beetles in the family Carabidae, containing over 190 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Near East, North America, and North Africa. These beetles are characterized by their disproportionately large heads, prominent mandibles, and elongated, somewhat flattened bodies that superficially resemble tropical stag beetles, though they are not closely related. Both adults and larvae are active predators that hunt soil-dwelling invertebrates. When disturbed, Scarites beetles exhibit thanatosis—folding their legs and arching their backs to feign death.
Scarites marinus
Scarites marinus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Nichols in 1986. It belongs to the large genus Scarites, which comprises predatory beetles found in soil and ground-level habitats. The species is documented from coastal and terrestrial regions across the Caribbean Sea, Central America, and North America.
Scarites quadriceps
Big-headed ground beetle
Scarites quadriceps is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Scarites, it is a predatory beetle found in terrestrial habitats. It has been observed beneath debris on field edges and beaches.
Scarites stenops
Scarites stenops is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described in 2010. Like other members of the genus Scarites, it is a predatory beetle active in soil and ground-level habitats. The species is found in North America, where it contributes to biological control of soil-dwelling pests.
Scarites subterraneus
Big-headed Ground Beetle, Pedunculate Ground Beetle, Tunneling Large Ground Beetle
Scarites subterraneus is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the big-headed ground beetle. Adults measure 15.0–30.0 mm in length and possess distinctive large mandibles with two teeth, adapted for capturing and consuming prey. The species is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and North America, and has been introduced to Europe. It is primarily nocturnal, spending daylight hours concealed under logs, rocks, soil, and leaf litter. Molecular studies have identified two subspecies: S. subterraneus nebraskensis and S. subterraneus arkansensis.
Scaritinae
Pedunculate Ground Beetles
Scaritinae is a large, cosmopolitan subfamily of ground beetles (Carabidae) containing over 2,400 species in more than 140 genera. Members exhibit considerable ecological diversity, with many species adapted to specialized habitats including caves, riverbanks, and deep soil layers. The subfamily includes tribes such as Scaritini, Clivinini, and Salcediini. Several genera show disjunct distributions that have contributed to biogeographic understanding of continental drift and faunal exchange.
Schizogenius amphibius
Schizogenius amphibius is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by Haldeman in 1843. It belongs to the subfamily Scaritinae, a group known for fossorial (burrowing) habits. The species is documented from North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Very limited biological information is available for this species.
Schizogenius chiricahuanus
Schizogenius chiricahuanus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Whitehead in 1972. It belongs to the tribe Clivinini, a group of small to medium-sized carabids often associated with sandy or loose soil habitats. The species epithet references the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, suggesting a geographic association with this sky island range. Like other members of Schizogenius, it likely exhibits fossorial (burrowing) adaptations.
Schizogenius falli
Schizogenius falli is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Whitehead in 1972. It occurs in Central America and North America, with records from Mexico and the United States. As a member of the genus Schizogenius, it belongs to a group of ground beetles whose specific ecological requirements remain poorly documented. The species is represented by limited observation records in biodiversity databases.
Schizogenius ferrugineus
Schizogenius ferrugineus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. The species was described by Putzeys in 1846. It belongs to the genus Schizogenius, which comprises small carabid beetles. Records indicate presence in North America including Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean region. Available information about this species is limited, with only two observations documented in iNaturalist.
Schizogenius pygmaeus
Schizogenius pygmaeus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Scaritinae, described by Van Dyke in 1925. The species belongs to a genus of small, fossorial carabids typically associated with sandy or loose soil habitats. Distribution records indicate occurrence from Mexico through Central America to Colombia.
Schizogenius sulcifrons
Schizogenius sulcifrons is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by Putzeys in 1846. It belongs to the genus Schizogenius, a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles. The species is known from North America, with records from both the United States and Canada.
Selenophorus balli
Selenophorus balli is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described in 2021. The specific epithet honors Dr. George E. Ball, a prominent carabidologist. The species belongs to the genus Selenophorus, a group of nocturnal ground beetles found primarily in the Americas.
Selenophorus breviusculus
Selenophorus breviusculus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1880. It belongs to the genus Selenophorus, a group of nocturnal, soil-dwelling beetles commonly known as false bombardier beetles. The species is recorded from the United States.
Selenophorus chaparralus
Selenophorus chaparralus is a ground beetle species described by Purrington in 2000. It belongs to the genus Selenophorus, a group of nocturnal ground beetles within the family Carabidae. The species epithet 'chaparralus' suggests an association with chaparral vegetation, a type of Mediterranean scrubland found in parts of western North America. As a recently described species with limited observation records, much of its biology remains undocumented.
Selenophorus concinnus
Selenophorus concinnus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was described by Schaeffer in 1910. The species is found in North America, with records from the United States. As a member of the genus Selenophorus, it belongs to a group of nocturnal ground beetles often associated with sandy or disturbed habitats.
Selenophorus discopunctatus
Selenophorus discopunctatus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by Dejean in 1829. The species has been recorded in both North America and parts of South America and the Caribbean, though published sources conflict on its precise range. It belongs to the genus Selenophorus, a group of nocturnal ground beetles characterized by their fossorial (burrowing) adaptations. Available documentation is limited, with few observational records.
Selenophorus fabricii
Selenophorus fabricii is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described in 2017. The species is known from the Caribbean region, including the Cayman Islands, Hispaniola, and the Lesser Antilles. As a member of the genus Selenophorus, it belongs to a diverse group of small to medium-sized ground beetles commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Very little is known about the specific biology or ecology of this recently described species.
Selenophorus fatuus
Selenophorus fatuus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by LeConte in 1863 under the basionym Harpalus fatuus. It belongs to the genus Selenophorus, a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles. The species is known from North America, with records from the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a nocturnal ground-dwelling beetle.
Selenophorus fossulatus
A ground beetle species in the genus Selenophorus, characterized by fossulate (grooved) elytra. The species is part of a diverse genus of nocturnal ground beetles. Observations are sparse, with limited ecological documentation.