Carabidae
Guides
Bembidion vulpecula
Bembidion vulpecula is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Casey in 1918. It belongs to the large genus Bembidion, which comprises numerous small predatory beetles commonly found in North America. The species has been recorded from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a ground-dwelling predator of small invertebrates.
Bembidion wickhami
A small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Hayward in 1897. The species is poorly documented, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist and minimal published ecological information. It belongs to the large genus Bembidion, which contains numerous species of riparian and wetland-associated beetles.
Blemus discus
Discus Riverbank Ground Beetle
Blemus discus is a ground beetle species in the genus Blemus, family Carabidae. It has been recorded across parts of North America and Eurasia. The species belongs to the tribe Trechini, a group of small carabid beetles often associated with riparian and moist habitats. The specific epithet "discus" refers to the disc-like body shape characteristic of this species.
Blethisa
Blethisa is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, subfamily Elaphrinae. It comprises approximately nine extant species distributed across the Holarctic region, plus one fossil species from the Pleistocene. Members of this genus are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, with documented diving behavior in at least one species.
Blethisa oregonensis
Blethisa oregonensis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by LeConte in 1853. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Canada and the United States. It belongs to the subfamily Elaphrinae, a group of ground beetles often associated with riparian and wetland habitats.
Brachinus
bombardier beetles
Brachinus is a genus of ground beetles commonly known as bombardier beetles, native to the Nearctic, Palearctic, Near East, and North Africa. The genus is renowned for its explosive defensive chemistry, wherein beetles discharge a hot, noxious spray from the abdomen when disturbed. Species within Brachinus exhibit diverse ecological strategies: wetland-associated species are pupal ectoparasitoids of water beetles (Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, Hydrophilidae), while dryland species such as B. explodens and B. crepitans parasitize ground beetle pupae of the genus Amara (Carabidae). The genus has been extensively studied for its chemical ecology, parasitoid life history, and habitat associations across agricultural and natural landscapes.
Brachinus aabaaba
Brachinus aabaaba is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Terry Erwin in 1970. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, which is renowned for its chemical defense mechanism that produces a hot, noxious spray from the abdomen when disturbed. The species name 'aabaaba' is unusual and appears to be a non-standard formation, possibly reflecting a descriptive or arbitrary designation by the author. Records indicate this species occurs in Mexico and the southwestern United States.
Brachinus adustipennis
Brachinus adustipennis is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Terry Erwin in 1969. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, which is renowned for its remarkable chemical defense mechanism—producing a hot, noxious spray from the abdomen when disturbed. The species occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, and North America, with confirmed records from Cuba, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.
Brachinus alexiguus
Brachinus alexiguus is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Erwin in 1970. As a member of the genus Brachinus, it possesses the characteristic defensive chemical spray mechanism for which these beetles are renowned. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from the United States.
Brachinus americanus
Brachinus americanus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by LeConte in 1844. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, commonly known as bombardier beetles, which are notable for their chemical defense mechanism. The species is distributed across North America, with records from both the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it likely possesses the characteristic defensive glands that produce hot, noxious chemicals when threatened.
Brachinus cibolensis
Brachinus cibolensis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Erwin in 1970. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, commonly known as bombardier beetles, which are renowned for their unique chemical defense mechanism. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, including Mexico and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to possess the characteristic ability to discharge hot, noxious chemicals from the abdomen as a defense against predators, though specific behavioral observations for this species have not been documented.
Brachinus costipennis
Brachinus costipennis is a species of bombardier beetle in the ground beetle family Carabidae, first described by Motschulsky in 1859. As a member of the genus Brachinus, it possesses the characteristic chemical defense system that defines this group: the ability to spray a hot, noxious mixture of benzoquinones from the abdomen when threatened. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records from Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States.
Brachinus cyanochroaticus
bombardier beetle
Brachinus cyanochroaticus is a species of bombardier beetle in the ground beetle family Carabidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from the United States and Canada. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, it possesses the distinctive defensive chemical reaction that gives bombardier beetles their common name. The species was described by Terry Erwin in 1969.
Brachinus elongatulus
elongated bombardier beetle
Brachinus elongatulus is a species of bombardier beetle in the ground beetle family Carabidae. It is found in Central America and North America, with records from Mexico and the United States. As a member of the genus Brachinus, it possesses the characteristic defensive chemistry that gives bombardier beetles their common name. The species was described by Chaudoir in 1876.
Brachinus fulminatus
Brachinus fulminatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Erwin in 1969. The species is known from North America, with distribution records from the United States. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, it is expected to possess chemical defense capabilities, though specific details for this species remain undocumented.
Brachinus hirsutus
Brachinus hirsutus is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, characterized by its ability to produce defensive chemical sprays. It is found in Central America and North America, with records from Mexico and the United States. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, it possesses specialized defensive glands that can discharge hot, noxious chemicals when threatened.
Brachinus imporcitis
Brachinus imporcitis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Terry Erwin in 1970. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, commonly known as bombardier beetles, which are renowned for their chemical defense mechanism. The species is known to occur in North America, specifically within the United States. Like other members of Brachinus, it likely possesses the characteristic ability to discharge a hot, noxious chemical spray when threatened, though specific behavioral observations for this species have not been documented.
Brachinus janthinipennis
Brachinus janthinipennis is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, it possesses the remarkable defensive ability to discharge a hot, noxious chemical spray from its abdomen when threatened. The species occurs in Canada and the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Brachinus phaeocerus
Brachinus phaeocerus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Chaudoir in 1868. It belongs to the bombardier beetle genus Brachinus, notable for its chemical defense mechanism. The species occurs in Central America and North America, including Mexico and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it possesses the characteristic ability to produce and eject defensive chemicals when threatened.
Brachinus puberulus
Brachinus puberulus is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Chaudoir in 1868. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, renowned for its chemical defense mechanism that produces a hot, noxious spray from the abdomen when disturbed. The species is recorded from the United States and Middle America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain sparse in the available literature.
Brachinus quadripennis
Square-winged Bombardier Beetle
Brachinus quadripennis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Square-winged Bombardier Beetle. It belongs to the bombardier beetle genus Brachinus, which is renowned for its chemical defense mechanism. The species is found in Central America and North America, with records from Canada, the United States, and Middle America.
Brachinus rugipennis
Brachinus rugipennis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was described by Chaudoir in 1868 and is known from North America, with records from the United States. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, it belongs to the bombardier beetle group, which are characterized by their remarkable chemical defense mechanism.
Brachinus vulcanoides
Brachinus vulcanoides is a species of bombardier beetle in the ground beetle family Carabidae, first described by Erwin in 1969. As a member of the genus Brachinus, it possesses the characteristic defensive chemical spray mechanism that defines this group. The species is known from North America, specifically recorded from the United States, though detailed natural history information remains limited in the available literature.
Bradycellus
Bradycellus is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, first described by Erichson in 1837. The genus contains more than 120 described species distributed across multiple subgenera. Species occur in North America, Europe, and the Macaronesian islands. As members of the tribe Stenolophini, these beetles are small to medium-sized carabids.
Bradycellus californicus
Small California Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus californicus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by LeConte in 1857. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrences in California and surrounding regions. The species belongs to the genus Bradycellus, a group of small carabid beetles commonly referred to as harp ground beetles. Based on iNaturalist records, it has been observed at least 87 times, suggesting it is not exceptionally rare but may be under-recorded due to its small size and ground-dwelling habits.
Bradycellus conformis
Conforming Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus conformis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Conforming Harp Ground Beetle. It occurs in North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. As a member of the genus Bradycellus, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles often associated with open, disturbed, or sandy habitats. The species was described by Fall in 1905.
Bradycellus congener
Congeneric Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus congener is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1847. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized carabid beetles commonly referred to as harp ground beetles. The species is distributed across North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. Like other members of Bradycellus, it is likely associated with open, dry habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Bradycellus decorus
Bradycellus decorus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Casey in 1914. The species is known from the United States, with records indicating presence in North America. As a member of Bradycellus, it belongs to a genus of small carabid beetles typically associated with ground-dwelling habits in various terrestrial habitats.
Bradycellus fenderi
Bradycellus fenderi is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Hatch in 1951. The species is known from the United States, with distribution records indicating presence in North America. As a member of the genus Bradycellus, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles commonly found in various terrestrial habitats.
Bradycellus harpalinus
European Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus harpalinus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae with a trans-Atlantic distribution spanning Europe and North America. The species has been introduced to North America from its native European range. It inhabits open, disturbed habitats and is frequently recorded in agricultural settings.
Bradycellus insulsus
Bungling Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus insulsus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Bungling Harp Ground Beetle. It belongs to the genus Bradycellus, a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles. The species is recorded from North America, with distribution spanning Canada and the United States. Available records indicate it is a rarely observed species, with limited documentation of its biology and ecology.
Bradycellus kirbyi
Kirby's Brown Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus kirbyi is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, known from North America. It is one of numerous Bradycellus species inhabiting the continent. The species was described by G.H. Horn in 1883. Available information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Bradycellus lugubris
Mourning Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus lugubris is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, native to North America. The species is commonly known as the Mourning Harp Ground Beetle. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1847. The genus Bradycellus is part of the diverse ground beetle fauna of North America.
Bradycellus neglectus
Mackinac Island Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus neglectus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, known by the common name Mackinac Island Harp Ground Beetle. The species was described by LeConte in 1847. It occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada and the United States. The species is represented by few observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or underrecorded.
Bradycellus nigerrimus Lindroth, 1968
Prairie Black Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus nigerrimus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Lindroth in 1968. It occurs in North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. The species is known by the common name Prairie Black Harp Ground Beetle. Very few observations exist in public databases, with only three records documented on iNaturalist.
Bradycellus nitidus
Bradycellus nitidus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, tribe Bradycellini. The species was described by Dejean in 1829 and is currently accepted as valid. It occurs in North America, with documented records from Canada and the United States. As a member of Bradycellus, it belongs to a genus of small carabid beetles often associated with open, dry habitats.
Bradycellus politus
Shiny Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus politus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by Fall in 1905. Known commonly as the Shiny Harp Ground Beetle, this species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. The genus Bradycellus comprises small to medium-sized ground beetles typically associated with open, dry habitats. Information on the specific biology of B. politus remains limited in published literature.
Bradycellus rupestris
Rock-dwelling Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus rupestris is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, found in North America. It is commonly known as the Rock-dwelling Harp Ground Beetle, a name reflecting its association with rocky habitats. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1823. Records indicate presence in both Canada and the United States.
Bradycellus semipubescens
Des Fées Lake Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus semipubescens is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Lindroth in 1968. It belongs to a genus of predominantly Palaearctic and Nearctic species associated with open, often sandy or gravelly habitats. The species is known from limited records in Canada and the United States.
Bradycellus veronianus
Bradycellus veronianus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Casey in 1924. It belongs to the genus Bradycellus, a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles commonly found in North America. The species is documented from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited.
Broscodera
Broscodera is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, established by Lindroth in 1961. The genus comprises at least four described species distributed across East Asia and western North America. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Broscinae, a group of predominantly nocturnal beetles often associated with moist habitats. The genus shows a disjunct distribution pattern, with species occurring in China, Nepal, and the Pacific Northwest of North America.
Broscodera insignis
Broscodera insignis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Broscinae. It was originally described as Miscodera insignis by Mannerheim in 1852 and later transferred to the genus Broscodera. The species is documented from North America, with distribution records including Alaska, Canada, and the contiguous United States. As a member of the subfamily Broscinae, it belongs to a group of ground beetles often associated with cool, moist habitats.
Broscus
Broscus is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, tribe Broscini. The genus is native to the Palearctic, Nearctic, Near East, and North Africa. It contains approximately 25 described species, including several island endemics such as Broscus crassimargo on La Gomera (Canary Islands).
Broscus cephalotes
coastal ground beetle
Broscus cephalotes is a nocturnal, flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is native to coastal regions of temperate Europe and western Siberia, and was introduced to eastern Canada around 1975, subsequently spreading into the United States. The species is recognized as beneficial in agricultural contexts due to its predatory habits.
Calathus advena
Calathus advena is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, found in North America. It was described by LeConte in 1846 and has been placed in the genus Acalathus by some taxonomic treatments, though it is currently accepted as Calathus advena. The species is recorded from Alaska, Canada, and the United States.
Calathus opaculus
Calathus opaculus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the genus Calathus, it belongs to a diverse group of more than 150 species, most of which are ground-dwelling beetles.
Calathus ruficollis grandicollis
A subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Casey in 1920. The subspecific epithet "grandicollis" (large neck) suggests a relatively large pronotum compared to other members of the species. As a member of the genus Calathus, it is likely a nocturnal, predatory beetle inhabiting ground-level environments.
Calathus ruficollis ruficollis
A flightless ground beetle subspecies distributed across southern California from Santa Barbara County to northern Baja California, including several Channel Islands. The subspecies is distinguished from the southern Sierra Nevada population (C. r. ignicollis) by genetic and geographic separation. Despite being flightless, populations show limited phylogeographic structure across the species' range, suggesting recent population expansion and gene flow across potential geographic barriers.
Calleida
Calleida is a large genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, tribe Lebiini, comprising more than 300 species. The genus is distributed across multiple continents with significant diversity in the Oriental Region. Oriental species have been organized into nine species groups based on external morphology and genitalia characters. At least one North American species, C. viridipennis, has been documented as a predator of lepidopteran pests.
Calleida decora
Calleida decora is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Lebiinae. The species was described by Fabricius in 1801 and is currently treated as a synonym of Calleida cordicollis. It belongs to a diverse genus of predatory beetles distributed across the Americas. Records indicate occurrence in Belize, Mexico, and the United States.