Coleoptera1800 species

Family Ground Beetles (Carabidae)

Carabidae is a family in the order Coleoptera. Browse 1,800 named species recorded in this family, or open an individual profile for its available identification and natural-history information.

Guides

Bombardier Beetle Guide

Species in Carabidae (1,800)

Badister reflexus

Badister reflexus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Badister transversus

Identification: Some clues that help distinguish this species include uniformly dark color, iridescent back and a conspicuous notch atop right mandible. our only representative of the transversus group

Bembidion acticola

Bembidion acticola is a species of beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found along the East Coast of the United States, from Maryland to Long Island.

Bembidion acutifrons

Identification: https://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~biodiv/entomology/main/Coleoptera/Carabidae/Trechinae/Bembidion%20acutifrons%20(1dorsal).jpg

Bembidion americanum

Identification: Some helpful clues include: uniform brassy metallic luster that is not very shiny, elytra with striae all well defined and densely punctured, also four noticeably larger dorsal punctures.

Bembidion antiquum

Bembidion antiquum is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Trechinae. It is found in Canada and the United States.

Bembidion articulatum

2.9 to 3.9 mm. Antennae with at least 3 pale basal segments, most of the fourth also usually pale. Pronotum with longitudinal central furrow, strongly constricted to base. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo do

Bembidion basicorne

Bembidion basicorne is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion bifossulatum

Identification: The large punctures on elytra and entirely dark antennae are helpful features. This species is restricted to the far west versus similar B. b. cheyennense that ranges toward the east (Maddison 1993). However, Y. Bousquet (pers. comm.)

Bembidion biguttatum

This small beetle (~4mm) is shiny black with a blue reflection. It has a rounded pronotum which becomes strongly sinuate at the base. The elytra have 7 deeply punctured striae (plus a short scutellary stria) with two pale sub-apical spots. The antenn

Bembidion bowditchii

Identification: https://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~biodiv/entomology/main/Coleoptera/Carabidae/Trechinae/Bembidion%20bowditchii%20(1dorsal)%20SEM-UBC%20COL-34987.jpg

Bembidion brachythorax

Identification: https://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~biodiv/entomology/main/Coleoptera/Carabidae/Trechinae/Bembidion%20brachythorax%20(1dorsal).jpg

Bembidion chalceum

Bembidion chalceum (Bembidion chalceum) is a species in the family Carabidae, commonly known as ground beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Trechinae, tribe Bembidiini, suborder Adephaga. This sp

Bembidion clarkii

3.3-3.8mm. Shining black but with a subtle brassy brown reflection. Antennae black except for the first segment which is pale. Legs are pale brown. The pronotum is strongly sinuate then constricted at the hind end. It has two pairs of deep frontal fu

Bembidion compressum

Bembidion compressum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China) and North America.

Bembidion consimile

Bembidion consimile is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion corgenoma

Identification: lateral lobes of the mentum well projected; antennomeres 1‒3 sharply pale; pronotal base relatively smooth (sparsely punctate); western coastline location. otherwise similar to B. transversale (which probably does not extend into CA)

Bembidion dentellum

A large Bembidion, 5 to 6 mm. It has dark brown elytra with various lighter markings usually after the middle, although these may be obscure or missing. Marshes and well vegetated water margins. Also in flood refuse, on gravel bars and in mud. Widesp

Bembidion dyschirinum

Bembidion dyschirinum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, found in North America.

Bembidion egens

Identification: Elytra with more distinct pale pattern and weaker impressed elytral striae; Pronotum base somewhat broader, with parallel hind angle section longer and with weak but distinct carinae. difficult to distinguish from B. nogalesium Casey

Bembidion festivum

Bembidion festivum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion foveum

Identification: Elytra without distinct mirrors, with small silver spots. Elytra long and parallel sided, relatively wider than narrow prothorax. First protarsomere of male much larger than in related species.

Bembidion guttula

A small ground beetle (only about 3 to 3.5 mm long). It is black or dark bronze with sub-apical pale spots on the elytra and paler tips to the elytra as well. It only has 6 stria (excluding the scutellary stria). Bembidion biguttatum is similar and a

Bembidion hastii

Bembidion hastii is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a Holarctic species found in northern Eurasia from Norway to the Far East and in North America (Alaska and Canada).

Bembidion immaturum

Bembidion immaturum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion impotens

Identification: Entire dorsum very shiny due to lack of microsculpture

Bembidion inaequale

Identification: As the species names suggests, note unequal striae (lines) near base of elytra.

Bembidion insulatum

Bembidion insulatum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion lampros

A small (3-4mm) beetle. It is very shiny, normally brassy, with reddish brown legs. Elytra with less than 7 strya. It frequents most dry habitats, including gardens and agricultural land.

Bembidion levettei

Identification: both sspp. imaged here Relatively common

Bembidion lorquinii

Identification: Similar to B. hesperium , with which it is often found. B. lorquinii is larger, more slender, and less shiny. In addition, the striae of B. lorquinii are shallower, especially around the silver spots, and the punctures are smaller.

Bembidion lunulatum

Small (3.5-4mm) black ground beetle, usually with pale sub-apical elytral spots though these can be faint or obscure. It has a well-rounded pronotum which contracts sharply at its base, giving the beetle a distinct 'waist'. It has dark brown legs and

Bembidion mckinleyi

Bembidion mckinleyi (Bembidion mckinleyi) is a species in the family Carabidae, commonly known as ground beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera (Beetles). It is classified within the subfamily Trechinae, tribe Bembidiini, suborder Adephaga. This

Bembidion mutatum

Bembidion mutatum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion obliquum

A small (~4mm) beetle with a characteristic X pattern on the elytra. Other Bembidion spp, particularly Bembidion varium. Typically on bare mud at the edges of bodies of water. Widespread in England where suitable habitat occurs. No additional images

Bembidion obtusum

A small (3 to 3.5mm) black or brown-black ground beetle. Raised keel on shoulder of elytra is characteristic. This species seems to have a pronounced south-easterly distribution in Britain with only a handful of Scottish and Welsh records.

Palos Verdes Minute Intertidal Beetle

Bembidion palosverdes

Bembidion palosverdes is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion pedicellatum

Identification: Elytral pattern similar to B. quadrimaculatum oppositum but posterior spot sometimes absent; frontal furrows subparallel; pronotum small, scarcely wider than head; elytral punctures usually coarser

Bembidion plagiatum

The only eastern member of the striola group See for a detailed note about this interesting species.

Bembidion platynoides

Bembidion platynoides is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion poculare

Identification: Combination of four elytral spots plus pronotum with markedly rounded base is distinctive.

Bembidion properans

3.5 to 4.5 mm. A shiny metallic brassy or bronze beetle, sometimes distinctly blue or green, legs dark with the tibiae mostly pale. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. I

Pseudocautum Bembidion Beetle

Bembidion pseudocautum

Bembidion pseudocautum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion punctulatum

A fairly small (4.5 to 5.5 mm) green or bronze ground beetle. Often associated with shingle areas, but not exclusively so. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain, but with fewer records from the south east. No additional images available for this

Bembidion quadrimaculatum

A small beetle with dark brown or almost black studded elytra marked with four pale yellow or orangey spots. Antennnae and femora mid-brown not black, apical part of antennae darker than distal part. Unlike similar members of the family it is found i

Bembidion quadrulum

Bembidion quadrulum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion rupicola

Bembidion rupicola is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion salinarium

Identification: Eyes flatter[than on ephippigerum ]. Prothorax with flat basal foveae. Elytra almost oviform with shoulders narrower and sides more evenly rounded, greatest width about middle. (Lindroth [addition by Graham for clarif.])

Bembidion scopulinum

Identification: Characteristic combination of punctures on the head medial to eyes, pronotum without laterobasal carina, and microsculpture. A pair of red spots on posterior part of elytra.

Bembidion scudderi

Bembidion scudderi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion semicinctum

Identification: A northeastern species distinguished from similar species by elytra with ill-defined pale reddish area at base & shoulders.

Bembidion semistriatum

Identification: elytra characteristic: red-brown to blackish with serial setae in all intervals

Bembidion siticum

Bembidion siticum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion subangustatum

Bembidion subangustatum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion tetracolum

Length: 5-6 mm. The head and pronotum are dark metallic green, elytra are dark brown but with lighter patches on the 'shoulders' and more diffusely near the apex. Antennae are dark with 3 pale basal segments. The pronotum is strongly contracted to th

Bembidion texanum

Identification: Det. E. G. Riley, 2010 Type Locality: Texas

Bembidion trechiforme

Bembidion trechiforme is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion varium

Approx 4 to 5 mm. The elytra are a dark olive brown flecked with orange-red. This species can be identified with care but there are similar species that it could be confused with. Please provide a photograph to support your record, and if possible pl

Bembidion versicolor

Identification: Some distinguishing characteristics include mosaic elytra; pronotum with relatively dull luster and lateral margins parallel toward base.

Bembidion versutum

Bembidion versutum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bembidion zephyrum

Identification: differentiating from B. levettei discussed here

Blemus discus

Identification: head dark brown or blackish; pronotum and basal half of elytra reddish-brown; distal half of elytra yellowish-brown; legs yellowish; pronotum trapezoidal, widest anteriorly; a broad dark brown or blackish band runs across the elytra j

Blethisa hudsonica

Blethisa hudsonica is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in Europe & Northern Asia (excluding China) and North America.

Brachinus aabaaba

Identification: last couplet: Knees infuscated; elytral pubescence evenly distributed over surface; pronotum narrow (fig. 421) Antennal articles 3 and 4, and knees infuscated, otherwise ferrugineous. elytra slate-grey, including the edge. rather mini

Brachinus adustipennis

Identification: The brown elytra and pale epipleura (elytral edge), and pubescent elytral disc separate members of this species from all others east of the continental divide in the United States. knees infuscated. Antennal articles 3 and 4, usually

Brachinus alexiguus

Identification: Submentum densely setiferous (16 or more setae, fig. 21); larger, more robust beetles; antennae ferrugineous B. americanus (LeConte), p. 55 Submentum sparsely setiferous (10 or less, fig. 19); smaller beetles; antennal articles 3 and

Brachinus alternans

Identification: 1. Elytra concolourus, epipleura (margin) dark. Head & pronotum lighter than elytra. [suture also apparently dark, as in Brachinus phaeocerus , B. phaeocerus doesn't have prominent elytral ribs] 2. Mentum flat with 2 shallow lateral p

Brachinus americanus

Identification: "Head, thorax, and legs ferruginous. Antenna; ferruginous, growing dusky towards the extremity. Head smooth, with a deep and long longitudinal impression between the eyes; eyes black. Thorax sparsely punctured; transverse impressions

Brachinus costipennis

Identification: Mentum with a setose deep central sulcus, abdomen pale ventrally, elytra glabrous Ferrugineous, except antennal article 4 occasionally infuscated. Dorsal surface and epipleura of elytra blue. the only member of costipennis group in ou

Brachinus cyanipennis

Identification: The most distinctive feature (magnifications required) are the extra long erect setae along elytral interval 3.

Brachinus cyanochroaticus

Identification: Differs from the nearest species by the combination of antennomere 3 pale in proximal half, legs entirely pale, and with protibia finely strigose (parrallel lines).

Brachinus elongatulus

Identification: differs from very similar B. texanus, B. elongatulus in that it has a limited southwestern range; elytra distinctly broader, with more prominent costae, and bluish reflection (may not be visible at all angles, not grey-greenish); and

Brachinus favicollis

Identification: pronotal punctures coarse, dense, uniformly distributed

Brachinus fulminatus

Identification: Externally, the combination of third antennomere mostly dark plus legs uniformly pale excludes very similar B. cyanochroaticus and B. quadripennis.

Brachinus geniculatus

Identification: last key couplet: Tarsi, tibiae, and apices of femora infuscated to black Usually the antennal articles 3 and 4 darker than 1 and 2. Tibiae infuscated, degree varied with specimens; elytra slate-colored. Det. Peter W. Messer, 2021 Typ

Brachinus imporcitis

Identification: Apex of antennal articles 3 and 4, otherwise ferrugineous. Outer antennal articles usually dark. Dorsal surface and epipleura (edge) of elytra bright blue, with black sutural margins. Type locality: Pinal Creek, Globe, Gila County, Ar

Brachinus janthinipennis

Identification: "This widespread Brachinus species is characterized by venter completely pale. Most other Brachinus have at least some ventral portions dark" - P. Messer

Brachinus javalinopsis 0

Brachinus javalinopsis

Identification: As in quadripennis , except antennal articles 3 and 4 infuscated only apically, and tibiae, tarsi, and palpi ferrugineous. The color of antennal articles 3 and 4 is paler in some individuals. Type locality: Willcox, Cochise County, Ar

Brachinus kavanaughi 0

Brachinus kavanaughi

Identification: last key couplet: Knees not infuscated; elytral pubescence in rows between barely elevated costae; pronotum cordiform (fig. 226) elytra blue Type locality: Superior, Boulder County, Colorado, along Coal Creek.

Brachinus lateralis

Identification: A southwestern species distinguished by dark knees against pale legs; elytra dark brownish with abrupt absence of pubescence on disc (center portion).

Brachinus medius

Identification: Dark venter including lateral portion of metasternum. Entire metasternum may be pale in some individuals; metasternum not shortened; glabrous proepipleura & poroepisterna; antennomere #3 completely dark; antennomere #1 proportionately

Brachinus mexicanus

Identification: Most characteristic is pubescence limited to lateral and apical portions of elytra, absent over entire center portion. last couplet: Elytra blue, micro sculpture coarse, surface dull The composition of this species seems to be more co

Brachinus phaeocerus

Identification: femora orange, tibiae and tarsi infuscated to black; elytra bright blue with black sutural margin; antennal articles 3-11 usually dark. Type Locality: Texas

Brachinus puberulus 0

Brachinus puberulus

Identification: Anterior tibia with anterior surface strigose; elytra with costae moderately elevated Type locality: Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas

Square-winged Bombardier Beetle

Brachinus quadripennis

Brachinus quadripennis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Brachinus rugipennis

Brachinus rugipennis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Brachinus tenuicollis

Identification: Antennal articles 3 and 4 infuscated at apex in some specimens, otherwise beetles ferrugineous. Dorsal surface and epipleura (narrow margin) of elytra blue. The large size, strongly costate elytra, and infuscated mesepisterna separate

Brachinus texanus

Identification: Last Couplet: Elytra slate-grey with greenish luster. Det. V. Belov, 2018

Brachinus vulcanoides

Identification: Helpful clues include location (northeastern USA), the color pattern of antennae, an especially deep constriction of the pronotum, and protibiae with smooth surface

Bay-winged Harp Ground Beetle

Bradycellus badipennis

Identification: "Leg coloration varies from entirely rufous to femora blackish against rufous tibiae" (PWM, pers.obs.)

Bradycellus festinans

Identification: Body size, habitus, and coloration superficially like B. rupestris but differs (in part) by pronotum with hind angles well rounded (not denticulate).

Bradycellus harpalinus

4-5mm. Variable but generally reddish brown with pale legs and antennae, often with suture and elytral margins paler brown. Pronotum has rounded hind angles and non-sinuate sides. Eyes are large and protrude. The scutellary striae are long, nearly 2x

Bradycellus lineatus

Bradycellus lineatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bradycellus lugubris

Identification: Some clues that help distinguish it from others in genus:

Bradycellus montanus

Bradycellus montanus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Bradycellus neglectus

Identification: The uniform dark elytra and roundish hind pronotal angles help separate it from congeners

Bradycellus nigrinus

Identification: The uniformly dark dorsum and relatively sharp pronotal hind angles are characteristic

Bradycellus verbasci

Length 4.5 to 5mm. Pale red brown with the elytra darker towards the apex. Legs and antennae are all pale. The pronotum sides are sinuate with obtuse but sharp hind corners. The side borders on the pronotum extend onto the hind margin which is sharpl

Calathus (Certocalathus) advena

Calathus advena

Calathus advena is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.

Calathus fuscipes

Length 10 to 14 mm. This is a large, black ground beetle. Legs and antennae are usually red but can be dark. It has a relatively smooth outline, with the pronotum and elytra more or less forming a continuous line. Dry open ground, including gardens a