Molluscivore
Guides
Badister
Badister is a genus of small ground beetles in the family Carabidae, comprising approximately 54 species distributed across North Africa, the Near East, and the Holarctic. Members of this genus are characterized by asymmetric mandibles adapted for shell-breaking predation on gastropods. The genus is classified within the tribe Licinini, a group widely associated with snail-eating behavior. Badister species occupy wetland and riparian habitats, with documented activity in wet grasslands, lakeshores, and riverbanks.
Scaphinotus behrensi
Behrens' Snail-eating Beetle, Behren's snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus behrensi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Behrens' Snail-eating Beetle. It is endemic to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, occurring in California and Oregon. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, inhabiting temperate coniferous rainforests. The species belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group of large carabid beetles known 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 infletus
Forgotten Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus infletus, commonly known as the forgotten snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to North America, with known occurrence in Arkansas. The species is characterized by brachypterous (short-winged) adults and inhabits moist, shaded environments. As a member of the genus Scaphinotus, it is presumed to be a molluscivore, feeding on snails and slugs.
Scaphinotus johnsoni
Johnson's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus johnsoni is a large ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the snail-eating beetles. It is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, where it inhabits coniferous forests in montane and subalpine zones. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), flightless, and nocturnal, with gregarious tendencies. As a member of the genus Scaphinotus, it is presumed to be a molluscivore, using its elongated jaws to extract snails from their shells.
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 parisiana
Ozark Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus parisiana, commonly known as the Ozark Snail-eating Beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to the Ozark region, specifically found in Arkansas within the Ouachita Mountains. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, inhabiting deciduous forest habitats. The species is one of the snail-eating beetles in the genus Scaphinotus, which are specialized predators of terrestrial mollusks.
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.
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.