Liebeck's snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus liebecki
This record describes Scaphinotus liebecki (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Scaphinotus liebecki, or Liebeck's snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America.
Wikipedia reference for Scaphinotus liebecki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaphinotus liebecki.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Carabinae
- Tribe
- Cychrini
- Genus
- Scaphinotus (Snail Carabids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
most species of this genus are confined to forested country - eAgra
Geographic Range
TX-LA-AR (Stone Co.) - Map , TL: New Braunfels, Comal Co., TX
Seasonal Activity
Adults have been found in April, June, and December. - eAgra
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults are adapted to eating land snails - eAgra
Life History
Adults are nocturnal; most species hibernate as larvae, at least in part. - eAgra
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Scaphinotus liebecki Van Dyke, 1936
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Scaphinotus liebecki. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Liebeck's snail-eating beetle (3)
Photo credits: (c) Steven Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Steven Wang | (c) beetlesyoulove, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | Contributed by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Liebeck's snail-eating beetle
What is Liebeck's snail-eating beetle?
Liebeck's snail-eating beetle (Scaphinotus liebecki) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Liebeck's snail-eating beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | most species of this genus are confined to forested country - eAgra |
| Range | TX-LA-AR (Stone Co.) - Map , TL: New Braunfels, Comal Co., TX |
What does Liebeck's snail-eating beetle eat?
The diet of the Liebeck's snail-eating beetle includes Adults are adapted to eating land snails - eAgra.
When is Liebeck's snail-eating beetle active?
Liebeck's snail-eating beetle: seasonal activity - Adults have been found in April, June, and December. - eAgra.
What is the life cycle of a Liebeck's snail-eating beetle?
Adults are nocturnal; most species hibernate as larvae, at least in part. - eAgra