Cychrini
Guides
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.
Cychrus tuberculatus
tuberculate rare snail-eating beetle
Cychrus tuberculatus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the tuberculate rare snail-eating beetle. First described by T.W. Harris in 1839, this species is notable for its specialized diet of snails and its brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal adults. It inhabits coniferous forests, forest clearings, and moraines in western North America, with documented populations in British Columbia, Quebec, California, Oregon, and Washington. The species is considered rare and has specific habitat requirements tied to forested environments.
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 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 bullatus
Inflated Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus bullatus, commonly known as the inflated snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to California, where it inhabits coniferous and mixed forests. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait associated with its forest floor habitat. The species belongs to the tribe Cychrini, whose members are specialized predators of snails and slugs.
Scaphinotus cavicollis
Concave-collared Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus cavicollis is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the concave-collared snail-eating beetle. It is a member of the Cychrini tribe, a group of large, nocturnal carabids specialized for snail predation. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and flightless, and have been observed to be nocturnally active. The species occurs in coniferous forest habitats in the south-central United States.
Scaphinotus cordatus
Heart-shaped Thorax Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus cordatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Heart-shaped Thorax Snail-eating Beetle. It is found in North America, specifically in California, where it inhabits coastal mixed forests. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait common in the genus Scaphinotus. The species belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group of large ground beetles often referred to as "snail hunters" due to their specialized diet.
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 debilis
weakly thorax snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus debilis is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, placed in the tribe Cychrini. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States, with records from Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate S. d. debilis and S. d. alpinus, the latter restricted to high-elevation areas of North Carolina. Like other members of its genus, it is a specialized predator of land snails.
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 elevatus flammeus
Scaphinotus elevatus flammeus is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group of carabid beetles commonly known as snail-eating beetles due to their specialized feeding habits. The subspecies was described by Haldeman in 1844 and is distributed in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it is likely adapted to moist forest habitats where its prey is abundant.
Scaphinotus fissicollis
Cleft-collared Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus fissicollis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the cleft-collared snail-eating beetle. It belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group of large, specialized ground beetles often referred to as "snail hunters" due to their elongated head and mandibles adapted for extracting snails from their shells. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait common in this genus that reflects their ground-dwelling, non-flying lifestyle. The species occurs in the central United States.
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 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 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
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 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 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 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.
Sphaeroderus
Small Snail-eating Beetles
Sphaeroderus is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) native to North America. The genus comprises six recognized species, including the notable Schaum's ground beetle (S. schaumii). Members are commonly known as Small Snail-eating Beetles, reflecting their specialized feeding habits. The genus was established by Dejean in 1826 and is classified within the tribe Cychrini.
Sphaeroderus canadensis lengi
Leng's False Snail-eating Beetle
Sphaeroderus canadensis lengi is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Darlington in 1933. It belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group commonly known as snail-eating beetles due to their specialized feeding habits. The subspecies occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with forested habitats where its mollusk prey can be found.
Sphaeroderus indianae
Indiana False Snail-eating Beetle
Sphaeroderus indianae is a flightless ground beetle in the tribe Cychrini, known from deciduous forests of the eastern United States. Adults possess reduced wings (brachypterous), restricting dispersal and contributing to its patchy distribution. The species is one of several North American Sphaeroderus with limited range and specific habitat requirements.
Sphaeroderus nitidicollis
Polished Snail-eating Beetle, polished-collar false snail-eating beetle
Sphaeroderus nitidicollis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Polished Snail-eating Beetle. It occurs in North America, with subspecies distributed across eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. The species belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group known for their specialized predation on snails.
Sphaeroderus stenostomus
Small Snail-eating Ground Beetle, narrow-mouthed false snail-eating beetle
Sphaeroderus stenostomus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, recognized by its common name "Small Snail-eating Ground Beetle." The species occurs in North America with three recognized subspecies. It belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group known for specialized predation on snails. The species has been documented in Canada and the United States with over 1,300 observations on iNaturalist.
Sphaeroderus stenostomus stenostomus
Sphaeroderus stenostomus stenostomus is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group of carabid beetles characterized by specialized morphological adaptations. The subspecies occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States.