Snail-hunter
Guides
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 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 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 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 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 petersi
Scaphinotus petersi petersi is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Carabinae, and tribe Cychrini. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it belongs to the group commonly known as 'snail hunters' or 'caterpillar hunters'—large, predatory ground beetles characterized by prominent mandibles. The species was described by Roeschke in 1907. It is currently accepted as valid and is recorded from the United States.
Scaphinotus rugiceps incipiens
Scaphinotus rugiceps incipiens is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Casey in 1897. It belongs to the nominate subfamily Carabinae within the tribe Cychrini, commonly known as snail hunters. The genus Scaphinotus comprises large-bodied beetles typically measuring 15-25 mm or more, characterized by prominent mandibular sculpturing. This subspecies is part of the rugiceps species complex within the subgenus Brennus.