Harpalus Ground Beetle

Hexapoda, Coleoptera, Carabidae, Harpalus pennsylvanicus

Description: Small black, oval beetle with short legs.

Geographic Distribution: Throughout New Mexico. Native.

Habitats: Outdoors in damp soil and under rocks and other objects. They often wander into garages and houses, but do not live there.

Biology: Adults occur in the summer, and wander on the ground in search of small arthropods on which they feed. The larvae are predators of other insects in the soil.

Health/pest Status: Harpalus ground beetles are beneficial insects that prey on other arthropods.