Species Harpalus caliginosus - Murky Ground Beetle

18-26 mm

Large, oblong, flattened and dull or reddish black. Elytra deeply striated. Antennae brown and legs black. Pronotum flush with edge of elytra. Compare Dicaelus dilatatus, 20-25 mm, which has points on corners of pronotum. Also compare other members of this genus, whcih are generally smaller--up to 15 mm. (Apparently this species can be recognized by its size, if one is sure of the genus.)

Throughout North America

Fields, cultivated land. Often found on Ragweed, Ambrosia.

April-December (South Carolina)

Adults are predatory on other insects, esp. larvae. Also eats seeds, sometimes fruit (strawberries).

Life cycle assumed to be one year. Eggs laid in soil.

Ciegler, p. 99 (1)

Dillon p. 117, plate XII (2)

Papp, p. 47, fig. 133 (3)

White, pp. 90-91 (4)

Salsbury, p. 167 (5)

Insects of Cedar Creek: Harpalus, Carabidae--many images of different genera and species

Insect Images--Common name: Murky Ground Beetle

Insects of Northeastern Iowa

Canadian Biodiversity

OSU Fact Sheet--Ground Beetles, Murky Ground Beetle: Harpalus caliginosus