Ground-beetle
Guides
Bembidion sulcipenne hyperboroides
Bembidion sulcipenne hyperboroides is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was described by Carl H. Lindroth in 1963. The subspecies belongs to the species Bembidion sulcipenne, which is part of the subgenus Plataphus within the genus Bembidion. Very few observations exist for this taxon, with only two records documented on iNaturalist.
Bembidion sulcipenne prasinoides
Bembidion sulcipenne prasinoides is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Lindroth in 1963. It belongs to the genus Bembidion, a large and diverse group of small carabid beetles commonly found in moist habitats. The subspecies is part of the Bembidion (Plataphus) species group. Distribution records indicate presence across northern regions including Alaska, Canada, Russia, and parts of the USA.
Bembidion tetracolum
Seine Riverbank Ground Beetle
Bembidion tetracolum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1823. It is native to Europe and has been introduced to other regions including Australia. The species is commonly known as the Seine Riverbank Ground Beetle, reflecting its association with riparian habitats. It belongs to the large genus Bembidion, which contains numerous small, often metallic ground beetles.
Bembidion tigrinum
Cryptic Beach Borer
Bembidion tigrinum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Cryptic Beach Borer. It is found in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. The species is a member of the large genus Bembidion, which comprises numerous small predatory beetles often associated with riparian and moist habitats.
Bembidion timidum
Bembidion timidum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by LeConte in 1847. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the large genus Bembidion, it is one of many small carabid beetles inhabiting the continent. The species has been documented through museum specimens and iNaturalist observations, though detailed ecological studies appear limited.
Bembidion transparens
Bembidion transparens is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by Gebler in 1830. It has a transcontinental distribution spanning North America and Europe. The species is divided into three subspecies, with the nominate subspecies Bembidion transparens transparens being the most widely recognized. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Bembidion, which contains hundreds of species of small predatory beetles.
Bembidion vandykei
Bembidion vandykei is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Blaisdell in 1902. It belongs to the large genus Bembidion, which comprises numerous small predatory beetles commonly found near water. The species is known from limited records in the United States, with a taxonomic history complicated by a later homonym proposed by Csiki in 1928. Very little is known about its biology or current population status.
Bembidion versicolor
Bembidion versicolor is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Jacquelin du Val in 1851. The species is distributed across northern North America, with records from Alaska, Canada, and the United States. It is also present on Saint Pierre and Miquelon. As a member of the genus Bembidion, it belongs to a large and diverse group of ground beetles commonly found in varied terrestrial habitats.
Bembidion versutum
Bembidion versutum is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by LeConte in 1878. The species is native to North America and has been recorded in Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Bembidion, it is a predatory beetle. Available information about this species is limited, with relatively few documented observations.
Bembidion vile
Bembidion vile is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. It belongs to the diverse genus Bembidion, which comprises hundreds of species of small carabid beetles found across the Northern Hemisphere. The species has been documented in North America with records from both the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist or riparian habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
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 multipunctata
multidotted ground beetle, Dimpled Marsh Beetle
Blethisa multipunctata is a ground beetle species found along freshwater margins in Europe and parts of North America. It exhibits a rare amphibious lifestyle among carabid beetles, hunting both on land and underwater for extended periods. The species has been observed diving voluntarily and remaining submerged for up to 97 minutes without surfacing for air.
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 alternans
Brachinus alternans is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, characterized by its chemical defense mechanism. The species occurs in Central America and North America, including the United States. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, it possesses the ability to discharge a hot, noxious chemical spray from the abdomen as a defense against predators. The specific epithet 'alternans' refers to some alternating pattern in the original description, though the precise nature of this pattern is not detailed in available sources.
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 cyanipennis
Cyan-winged Bombardier Beetle
Brachinus cyanipennis is a bombardier beetle species in the family Carabidae, characterized by explosive defensive chemistry typical of the genus. Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis using COI, CAD, and 28S gene regions, this species was moved from Erwin's fumans species group to the newly erected cyanipennis species group within the subgenus Neobrachinus. The species is found in North America.
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 favicollis
Brachinus favicollis is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Terry Erwin in 1965. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, this species possesses the remarkable defensive ability to eject a hot, noxious chemical spray from the tip of its abdomen when disturbed. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
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 fumans
American bombardier beetle
Brachinus fumans, commonly known as the American bombardier beetle, is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae and subfamily Brachininae. This species belongs to the subgenus Neobrachinus and was originally placed in Erwin's fumans species group based on morphological characters, though molecular phylogenetic studies have redefined this group. The species is endemic to the Nearctic region and is found across North America. Like other bombardier beetles, it possesses remarkable explosive defensive chemistry.
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 medius
Medial Bombardier Beetle
Brachinus medius is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae. It is one of approximately 40 species in the genus Brachinus found in North America. Like other members of its genus, it possesses the remarkable defensive ability to discharge a hot, noxious chemical spray from the tip of its abdomen when threatened. The species occurs across much of North America including the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Brachinus pallidus
Brachinus pallidus is a bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Erwin in 1965. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, it possesses the remarkable chemical defense system for which bombardier beetles are famous: paired glands that combine hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide to produce a hot, noxious spray of benzoquinones when threatened. The species is known from California and represents part of the diverse North American fauna of this chemically defended ground beetle genus.
Brachinus patruelis
Brachinus patruelis is a small ground beetle in the bombardier beetle subfamily Brachininae. The species is endemic to the northeastern United States, with records from Massachusetts. Adults measure 5.7–8.3 mm in body length. Like other members of the genus, it possesses the defensive chemical secretion capability characteristic of bombardier beetles, though specific details of this behavior in B. patruelis have not been separately documented.
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 texanus
Brachinus texanus is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae. Like other members of its genus, it possesses a remarkable defensive chemical mechanism, spraying a hot, corrosive liquid from its abdomen when disturbed. The species occurs in North America, with records from the United States and Canada.
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.