# Ground Beetle (*Carabus spp.*) Ground Beetles are fast runners and love to hide under rocks and leaves. They eat other insects and help keep pests away! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests and gardens - **Also known as:** Carabid Beetle, Ground Beetles ![Ground Beetle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426111/objects/5500.jpg) ## Appearance The Ground Beetle is typically dark-colored, often black, brown, or metallic green/blue, with a flattened body and long, slender legs. It has prominent mandibles (jaws) and long antennae, which help distinguish it from common cockroaches. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Carabidae - **Genus:** Carabus ## Interesting facts - Many ground beetles are incredibly fast runners on their long legs! - Some species have amazing metallic shells that shimmer with color! - Their larvae are also fierce, predatory hunters like the adults! - They undergo a complete transformation called metamorphosis! ## Special abilities - **Super Speedster:** Ground Beetles can run incredibly fast because of their long, powerful legs, that helps them chase down prey. - **Night Vision Noses:** Ground Beetles have super-sensitive antennae that helps them detect prey and navigate in complete darkness. - **Chemical Shield:** Ground Beetles can spray smelly or irritating chemicals from their rear, that helps them deter predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 5-70 mm - **Size:** 2-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 365-1460 days - **Flight Speed:** 5 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These beetles are mostly predators, eating small insects and slugs to help keep gardens healthy. - **Age differences:** Larvae also hunt small invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** caterpillars, slugs, snails, insect larvae, aphids - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Cabbage White Butterfly (*Pieris rapae*) — Ground beetles prey on their caterpillars. - **Eats:** Spanish Slug (*Arion vulgaris*) — Slugs are a common food source for many species. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds frequently feed on ground beetles. - **Eaten by:** [Common Shrew](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-shrew) (*Sorex araneus*) — Shrews find ground beetles to be tasty snacks. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ground 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 Ground Beetle's wingspan? 5-70 mm ### How big is Ground Beetle? 2-35 mm ### How long does Ground Beetle live? 365-1460 days ### How fast can Ground Beetle fly? 5 km/h ### What does Ground Beetle eat? These beetles are mostly predators, eating small insects and slugs to help keep gardens healthy. ### Where is Ground Beetle usually found? Forests and gardens ### How does Ground Beetle hunt? Pursuit ## 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*) --- Source: [Ground Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ground-beetle)