# Black snail beetle (*Phosphuga atrata*)

The black snail beetle is a shiny black bug that loves to munch on snails! It has a smooth body and can be found hiding under leaves or logs.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Black snail beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phosphuga_atrata_small.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phosphuga_atrata_small.jpg)

## Appearance

The Black snail beetle has a distinct, elongated, and flattened body that is shiny black, often appearing metallic. Its head and the segment behind it (prothorax) can be a contrasting reddish-orange or brown, making it visually stand out. It has prominent antennae and a somewhat constricted "neck" area.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Coleoptera
- **Family:** Staphylinidae
- **Genus:** Silpha

## Interesting facts

- It belongs to a family of beetles famous for cleaning up dead things, but prefers snails!
- Its head and "neck" can be a surprising orange-red color, contrasting its shiny black body!
- The Black snail beetle's larvae are also hungry snail predators, just like the adults!
- This beetle can "play dead" when scared, lying motionless until danger passes!

## Special abilities

- **Mucus-Proof Feasting:** Black snail beetle can safely eat slippery snails because it has a special waxy coating that prevents snail mucus from sticking to its body.
- **Stinky Defense:** Black snail beetle can deter predators because it releases a smelly, yellowish fluid from glands when threatened, making it unpleasant to eat.
- **Shell Snatcher:** Black snail beetle has a narrow "neck" and head that helps it push into snail shells, allowing it to reach and devour the soft snail body.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm
- **Size:** 10-15 mm
- **Lifespan:** 60-120 days
- **Flight Speed:** 5-10 km/h
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

This beetle mostly eats snails, which it can devour thanks to its specialized body.

- **Primary Foods:** Snails, Slugs
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Cornu aspersum*) — A primary food source for this beetle.
- **Eaten by:** Blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — Birds often hunt these beetles.
- **Eaten by:** [European Hedgehog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hedgehog) (*Erinaceus europaeus*) — Hedgehogs forage for beetles.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch insects unless a grown-up says it's okay.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Black snail beetle?

Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Black snail beetle's wingspan?

20-30 mm

### How big is Black snail beetle?

10-15 mm

### How long does Black snail beetle live?

60-120 days

### How fast can Black snail beetle fly?

5-10 km/h

### What does Black snail beetle eat?

This beetle mostly eats snails, which it can devour thanks to its specialized body.

### Where is Black snail beetle usually found?

Forests

### How does Black snail beetle hunt?

Foraging

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Black snail beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-snail-beetle)