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Many species of ground beetles commonly are found on
the ground searching for prey or hiding under stones, logs, or plant debris. Most ground
beetles prey on larval or adult insects. Adults are flattened, with long legs. Most adult
ground beetles are dark in color. A few have green, blue, or copper bodies, with violet or
green upper wings bordered with reddish brown. Wings of most species are marked with rows
of longitudinal ridges and punctures. Adults vary considerably in size, but most range
from 10 to 25 mm long. Larvae of most ground beetles are
nocturnal and predaceous with large, sickle-shaped mandibles. Fully-grown larvae are 10 to
45 mm long. Their bodies are elongated, flattened, and tapered to the tail that terminates
in two bristly, hair- or spine-like processes. Larvae are dark brown or black, but some
are yellow. Ground beetles feed on soft-bodied insects and small animals found in or on
the ground. Common hosts are cutworms, leaf-feeding caterpillars, grubs, maggots, naked
pupae, and worms. |
