Carabinae
Guides
Calosoma aurocinctum
gold-ringed caterpillar hunter, Texas Green Calosoma
Calosoma aurocinctum is a large ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the gold-ringed caterpillar hunter or Texas Green Calosoma. It was described by Maximilien Chaudoir in 1850. The species occurs from Texas south through Mexico to Central America, inhabiting lowland to mid-elevation areas. As a member of the caterpillar hunter genus Calosoma, it likely exhibits arboreal foraging behavior to prey on caterpillars, though specific behavioral observations for this species are limited.
Calosoma eremicola
solitary caterpillar hunter
Calosoma eremicola, the solitary caterpillar hunter, is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae. It was described by Fall in 1910 and is found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Baja California. The species inhabits the eastern Mojave Desert vegetation zone.
Calosoma lepidum
neat beautiful black searcher
Calosoma lepidum is a ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1844. Adults are sub-brachypterous, indicating reduced flight capability. The species inhabits open prairie habitats with short grass in the northern Great Plains and adjacent montane regions.
Cychrus hemphillii
Hemphill's rare snail-eating beetle
Cychrus hemphillii is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, described by George Henry Horn in 1878. It is one of the "snail-eating beetles" in the tribe Cychrini, characterized by its elongated, narrow head adapted for extracting snails from their shells. The species occurs in western North America with two recognized subspecies: the nominate form in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, and C. h. rickseckeri in British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Cychrus hemphillii hemphillii
Cychrus hemphillii hemphillii is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1879. It belongs to the nominate subfamily Carabinae, which includes the so-called 'snail hunters' and 'caterpillar hunters'—large, charismatic ground beetles known for their prominent mandibles. The species is known from North America, with records from both Canada and the United States.
Cychrus hemphillii rickseckeri
Cychrus hemphillii rickseckeri is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by LeConte in 1884. It belongs to the nominate subfamily Carabinae, which includes the so-called 'snail hunters' and 'caterpillar hunters'—large, charismatic beetles noted for their prominent mandibles. The genus Cychrus is part of the tribe Cychrini, a group of specialized predatory beetles. This subspecies has been recorded from both Canada and the United States in North America.
Scaphinotus
Snail-eating Beetles
Scaphinotus is a genus of flightless ground beetles in the family Carabidae, comprising approximately 55-60 species native exclusively to North America. These beetles are specialized snail predators, with their distribution and habitat use tightly linked to moist environments where their gastropod prey occur. The genus is notable for its large body size among carabids (typically 15-25 mm), elongated mandibles adapted for extracting snails from shells, and complete absence of flight capability due to reduced hindwings. Research on Scaphinotus angusticollis in managed forests of British Columbia indicates that 30-meter riparian reserves effectively maintain population sizes and movement patterns comparable to unharvested forests.
Scaphinotus aeneicollis
Coppery-collared Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus aeneicollis, commonly known as the coppery-collared snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a member of the Carabinae subfamily, which includes large predatory beetles often called 'snail hunters' or 'caterpillar hunters.' The species is restricted to the southern Appalachian region of North America, specifically in coniferous forest habitats in North Carolina. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal.
Scaphinotus angulatus
Angular Snail-eating Beetle, Angulate Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus angulatus is a large ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the angular snail-eating beetle. It is a specialist predator of snails, possessing elongated mandibles adapted for extracting prey from shells. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal. The species is restricted to temperate coniferous rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.
Scaphinotus crenatus
Notched Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus crenatus, commonly known as the notched snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a member of the subfamily Carabinae, which includes the so-called "caterpillar hunters" and "snail hunters." This species is endemic to California, where it inhabits forested environments. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal in their activity patterns.
Scaphinotus elevatus
eastern snail eater, Large-thoraxed Snail-eating Beetle, elevated thorax snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus elevatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the eastern snail eater. It is one of the larger carabid beetles in North America, with most individuals measuring at least 15 mm in length. The species belongs to the Carabinae subfamily, which includes the so-called 'caterpillar hunters' and 'snail hunters'—giant ground beetles closely related to tiger beetles. Six subspecies are recognized, distributed across eastern, central, and southwestern North America.
Scaphinotus elevatus coloradensis
Scaphinotus elevatus coloradensis is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Van Dyke in 1907. It belongs to the subfamily Carabinae, which includes the so-called "caterpillar hunters" and "snail hunters"—large, charismatic beetles known for their prominent mandibles. The subspecies epithet "coloradensis" indicates its association with Colorado, and records indicate it occurs in the western United States and Canada. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it is likely a nocturnal predator adapted to montane or foothill habitats.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.