Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 4988607

Pennsylvania Dingy Ground Beetle

Harpalus pensylvanicus

Also known as Pennsylvania Ground Beetle, Dingy Ground Beetle

Pennsylvania dingy ground beetles are stout, active nocturnal insects common across North American fields and suburban gardens. Their shiny black or dark reddish-brown bodies are supported by pale tan legs, making them effective soil-dwelling foragers. They play a beneficial ecological role by consuming large quantities of weed seeds alongside crop pests like caterpillars and aphids.

NocturnalOmnivorousBeneficial Insect
Pennsylvania Dingy Ground Beetle reference1 / 6
Licensed reference(c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Weed Seeds
  • Caterpillars
  • Aphids
Predators
  • Toads
  • Songbirds
  • Small Rodents
ThreatsBroad-spectrum pesticides, habitat conversion, light pollution
HabitatsAgricultural fields, gardens, grassy meadows, suburban yards
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderColeoptera
  2. FamilyCarabidae
  3. GenusHarpalus
  4. SpeciesHarpalus pensylvanicus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans; safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Look Near Lights: Observe adults as they gather around outdoor lights on warm summer nights.
  • Check Leaf Litter: Look under rocks, logs, and garden mulch where adults rest during the day.
Related species
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