Ground-beetle
Guides
Scaphinotus tenuis
Thin Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus tenuis, commonly known as the thin snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North Carolina, USA, where it inhabits forest environments. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal in their activity pattern.
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 ventricosus
potbellied snail-eating beetle, pot-bellied snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus ventricosus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the potbellied snail-eating beetle. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrence in California and Oregon. Adults are distinctive among ground beetles for their brachypterous (short-winged) condition, which renders them flightless. The species exhibits gregarious and nocturnal behavior. It inhabits deciduous forests and poison-oak thickets, where it presumably feeds on snails as suggested by its common name and the feeding habits of related species in the genus.
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.
Scarites vicinus
Large-jawed Pedunculate Ground Beetle
Scarites vicinus is a large ground beetle in the Carabidae family, native to North America. It belongs to the quadriceps group and was previously considered a junior synonym of S. quadriceps but has been revalidated as a distinct species. Phylogenetic analysis of Cox1 genes identifies S. vicinus as the closest relative to S. subterraneus. It is one of two Scarites species recorded from Nebraska.
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.
Scotobaenus
Scotobaenus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by LeConte in 1859. Species in this genus are found in the Nearctic region, with records primarily from western North America. The genus is part of the large and diverse darkling beetle family, whose members are generally associated with arid and semi-arid environments. Scotobaenus species are ground-dwelling beetles, though specific ecological details for the genus remain limited in published literature.
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.
Selenophorus hylacis
Selenophorus hylacis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was described by Thomas Say in 1823. The species occurs in North America, with records from both the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is a nocturnal ground-dwelling beetle.
Selenophorus maritimus
Selenophorus maritimus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1914. The species epithet "maritimus" (meaning "of the sea" or "maritime") suggests an association with coastal or saline environments. As a member of the genus Selenophorus, it belongs to a group of carabid beetles commonly known as seedcorn beetles, many of which are associated with agricultural habitats and moist soils. The species is documented from the United States with distribution records indicating presence in North America.
Selenophorus mexicanus
Selenophorus mexicanus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Putzeys in 1878. It belongs to the genus Selenophorus, a group of nocturnal carabid beetles commonly known as false bombardier beetles or night-stalking tiger beetles. The species is native to Central America and southern Mexico.
Selenophorus nonellipticus
Selenophorus nonellipticus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described in 2021 from Florida, USA. The species name refers to its non-elliptical body shape, distinguishing it from congeners. It belongs to a genus of nocturnal, soil-dwelling beetles primarily found in the Americas.
Selenophorus palliatus
Selenophorus palliatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a nocturnal, flightless beetle distributed across North America, the Bahamas, and Mexico. The species is one of approximately 170 described species in the genus Selenophorus, which is characterized by species adapted to running on the ground surface.
Selenophorus pedicularius
Selenophorus pedicularius is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Dejean in 1829. It occurs in Central America and North America, including Canada and 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. The species is documented in both scientific collections and citizen science observations, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Selenophorus planipennis
Selenophorus planipennis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is native to North America, with records from Canada and the United States. The species is part of a large genus of ground beetles, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Observations are sparse, with only three records on iNaturalist.
Selenophorus rileyi
Selenophorus rileyi is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described in 2021 by Messer and Raber. As a member of the genus Selenophorus, it belongs to a group of carabid beetles commonly known as seedcorn beetles. The species epithet honors Edward Riley, a prolific beetle collector whose contributions to North American coleopterology are recognized through multiple taxa bearing his name.
Selenophorus seriatoporus
Selenophorus seriatoporus is a Neotropical ground beetle in the family Carabidae. Laboratory studies have demonstrated its predatory capacity and evaluated its life cycle on different substrates. Research has examined dietary effects on its consumption, fecundity, and egg viability, with Tenebrio molitor larvae being the most consumed food source.
Sericoda obsoleta
Sericoda obsoleta is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, occurring in North America. It is one of several species in the genus Sericoda, which are generally associated with riparian and wetland habitats. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823. Available information on this species is limited, with most sources providing only basic taxonomic and distributional data.
Serranillus
Serranillus is a genus of small ground beetles in the family Carabidae. The genus was established by Barr in 1995 and contains three described species, all endemic to the United States. These beetles belong to the subtribe Anillina, a group characterized by reduced eyes and elongate bodies adapted to subterranean or soil-dwelling habits. The genus is relatively poorly known, with limited ecological and biological data published.
Serranillus dunavani
Serranillus dunavani is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Jeannel in 1963. It belongs to the subtribe Anillina, a group of minute carabid beetles characterized by reduced eyes and subterranean habits. The species is known from the United States.
Somotrichus
Somotrichus is a monotypic genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, established by Seidlitz in 1887. It contains a single species, Somotrichus unifasciatus, distributed across the Holarctic region. The genus belongs to the subtribe Somotrichina within the tribe Lebiini.
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 bicarinatus
Two-ridged False Snail-eating Beetle
Sphaeroderus bicarinatus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the two-ridged false snail-eating beetle. It is a brachypterous, mostly nocturnal predator found in forested habitats of the southeastern United States. Despite its common name, it has been observed preying on snails as well as Lepidoptera caterpillars and pupae.
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 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.
Spilodiscus gloveri
clown beetle
Spilodiscus gloveri is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Horn in 1870. It is characterized by a black body with two distinctive red maculations (spots) on the elytra, a color pattern that inspired the genus name 'Spilodiscus' (spotted disc). The species occurs in North America, with documented records from the south-central and south-western United States.
Stenocrepis cuprea
Stenocrepis cuprea is a ground beetle (family Carabidae) described by Chaudoir in 1843. It has been recorded in Ontario, Canada, and the United States. The species name 'cuprea' suggests a coppery coloration, though specific morphological details are not well documented in available sources.
Stenocrepis duodecimstriata
Stenocrepis duodecimstriata is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, tribe Lebiini. The species was described by Chevrolat in 1836. It occurs in the Caribbean, Central America, and the southern United States. Records span Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the USA.
Stenocrepis tibialis
Stenocrepis tibialis is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Chevrolat in 1834. It has a broad Neotropical distribution extending into the southern United States. The species occurs in diverse habitats ranging from Caribbean islands to South American mainland regions.
Stenolophus
Seedcorn Beetles
Stenolophus is a large genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, comprising over 190 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Nearctic, Near East, and North Africa. Commonly known as seedcorn beetles, several species are significant agricultural pests of corn and other crops. The genus includes both univoltine and potentially multivoltine species depending on geographic location.
Stenolophus binotatus
Stenolophus binotatus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae. It occurs in North America, with records from the United States. The species has been documented in blacklighting surveys in Kansas during early spring. It belongs to the genus Stenolophus, commonly known as seedcorn beetles.