Ground beetles are a large, cosmopolitan family of beetles, the Carabidae, with more than 40,000 species worldwide, around 2,000 of which are found in North America and 2,700 in Europe. As of 2015, it is one of the 10 most species-rich animal families. They belong to the Adephaga. Members of the family are primarily carnivorous, but some members are herbivorous or omnivorous.
The insects of the beetle family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles, and include over 37,000 species in more than 2,500 genera, making up one of the largest and most commonly encountered of all beetle families. Numerous subfamilies are recognized, but the precise taxonomy and systematics are likely to change with ongoing research.
Buprestidae is a family of beetles known as jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles because of their glossy iridescent colors. Larvae of this family are known as flatheaded borers. The family is among the largest of the beetles, with some 15,500 species known in 775 genera. In addition, almost 100 fossil species have been described.
Dynastinae or rhinoceros beetles are a subfamily of the scarab beetle family (Scarabaeidae). Other common names – some for particular groups of rhinoceros beetles – include Hercules beetles, unicorn beetles or horn beetles. Over 1,500 species and 225 genera of rhinoceros beetles are known.
Staphylinoidea is a superfamily of beetles. It is a very large and diverse group with worldwide distribution.
Cryptophagidae is a family of beetles with representatives found in all biogeographic realms. Members of this family are commonly called silken fungus beetles and both adults and larvae appear to feed exclusively on fungi although in a wide variety of habitats and situations, such as rotting wood and shed animal fur and feathers. These beetles vary from about 1 to 11 millimeters long, and usually have an oval body shape with a slight "waist".
Sericoda is a genus of harpaline ground beetles. They are native to the Holarctic. Their habit resembles some members of the related genus Agonum, but they are generally smaller. The origin of Sericoda is apparently North America, with the Central American genus Elliptoleus the closest living relative.
Melolonthinae is a subfamily of the scarab beetles. It is a very diverse group; distributed over most of the world, it contains over 11,000 species in over 750 genera. Some authors include the scarab subfamilies Euchirinae and Pachypodinae as tribes in the Melolonthinae.
Calosoma sycophanta, the forest caterpillar hunter, is a species of ground beetle belonging to the family Carabidae.
Meloe is a genus of blister beetles commonly referred to as oil beetles. The name derives from their defensive strategy: when threatened by collectors or predators they release oily droplets of hemolymph from their joints. This fluid is bright orange and contains cantharidin, a poisonous chemical compound. Wiping the chemical on skin can cause blistering and painful swelling of the skin. This defensive strategy is not exclusive to this genus; all meloids possess and exude cantharidin upon threat.
Calosoma is a genus of large ground beetles that occur primarily throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and are referred to as caterpillar hunters or caterpillar searchers. Many of the 167 species are largely or entirely black, but some have bright metallic coloration. They produce a foul-smelling spray from glands near the tip of the abdomen. They are recognizable due to their large thorax, which is almost the size of their abdomen and much wider than their head.
Alsophila pometaria, the fall cankerworm, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found in North America from Nova Scotia west to Alberta, south to Colorado and California and zones of Spain
Calosoma scrutator, also known as the fiery searcher and caterpillar hunter, is a species of ground beetle belonging to the genus Calosoma, subgenus Acalosoma. This beetle can be as large as 35 millimetres (1.4 in) long. The distribution of this species is relatively widespread, but it is nonetheless common in North America. The adult beetle is known to excrete a foul-smelling oil when it is handled. The oil has been described as smelling similar to rotten milk or rancid olive oil.
Acmaeops proteus is a species of the Lepturinae subfamily in the long-horned beetle family. This beetle is distributed in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Bromius obscurus, the western grape rootworm, is a species of beetle in the leaf beetle family. It is the only member of the genus Bromius. The distribution of the species is holarctic; it can be found in North America, wide parts of Europe, and Asia. The species is a known pest of grape vines in Europe and western North America.
Calosoma calidum is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily of Carabinae. It was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. It occurs throughout Canada and the northern and eastern parts of the United States. About 19mm to 27mm long, this beetle is black with rows of red or gold spots or pits on its elytra. It can be found in fields and disturbed habitats. Larvae and adults prey upon moth caterpillars.
Calosoma chinense is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily of Carabinae. It was described by William Kirby in 1819.
Calosoma sayi, also known as "Say's caterpillar hunter or "Black Caterpillar Hunter", is a species of ground beetle of the subfamily Carabinae. It was described by Pierre François Marie Auguste Dejean in 1826. A large, lustrous black beetle found throughout the United States, its habitat is fields and disturbed areas. About 25mm to 28mm long, its grooved elytra have rows of metallic dots or pits. Said pits are smaller than many Calosoma, and are ruby red. Both larvae and adults prey upon other larvae and pupae, specifically those of grubs, flies, and lepidoptera.
Sericoda quadripunctata is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in Europe and Northern Asia and North America.
