Return to the Insecta Index

Beetle (Ground)

Class  

Insects

image

Range  

Ground beetles are found all over the world. In North America alone there are thought to be 2,200 different species. They make up one of the largest groups of beetles in North America.

Habitat  

They live in woods, gardens, under stones and boards.

Body Traits  

They have a long, shiny, black body. They have rounded wing covers with long grooves. They have long thin antennae and their head is smaller than their thorax.

Habits  

Adult beetles are active at night (nocturnal) and during the day they hide under rocks or logs. They will run if you get near them. They are harmless to humans.

Diet  

They eat other insects like caterpillars, maggots, and snails. This makes them helpful to gardeners (beneficial).

Reproduction  

Female ground beetles lay eggs in the soil.


image

Citing This Reference

CITING RESEARCH REFERENCES
When you research information you must cite the reference. Citing for websites is different from citing from books, magazines and periodicals. The style of citing shown here is from the MLA Style Citations (Modern Language Association).

When citing a WEBSITE the general format is as follows.
Author Last Name, First Name(s). "Title: Subtitle of Part of Web Page, if appropriate." Title: Subtitle: Section of Page if appropriate. Sponsoring/Publishing Agency, If Given. Additional significant descriptive information. Date of Electronic Publication or other Date, such as Last Updated. Day Month Year of access <URL>.

All text on Exploring Nature was written by author, Sheri Amsel

Here is an example of citing this page:
Amsel, Sheri. “Insecta.” Beetle (Ground). Exploring Nature Educational Resource. © 2005 - 2010. September 9, 2010. <http://exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=43&detID=922>

Related Links
Subscribe to Exploring Nature Today!