Ground Beetle

insects · hunters · backyard creatures

Lightning-fast hunters. Ground beetles are carnivorous speedsters that chase down other insects on the ground at incredible speeds. Their powerful legs and sharp eyes make them expert predators.

Found everywhere. With more than 40,000 species worldwide, ground beetles live on nearly every continent from forests to gardens to deserts. There are about 2,000 different kinds just in North America.

Huge insect family. Ground beetles are so successful and diverse that they rank as one of the top 10 most species-rich animal families on the planet. Scientists keep discovering new species.

Mostly meat-eaters. While most ground beetles hunt other insects and small creatures, some species switched to eating plants or a mix of both foods. This flexibility helped them survive in many different habitats.