by Stephanie Bailey, Extension Entomologist University of
Kentucky College of Agriculture Ground beetles make up one of
the largest groups of beetles in North America, with more than
2200 species. Although there is some variation in their body
shape and coloring, most are shiny and black (some are
metallic), and have ridged wing covers. Another characteristic
common to ground beetles is a smaller head than thorax, and
threadlike antennae. They may be confused with cockroaches such
as the oriental roach (both are shiny and very dark) but beetles
have hardened front wings where roaches either have leathery
wings or no wings. Adults are active at night and tend to hide
under rocks during the day. They will run when exposed. They
come out at night to feed o unsuspecting insects. Likely targets
include caterpillars, root maggots, snails, and other soft
bodied insects. The fiery searcher, a very brilliantly colored
ground beetle, was imported to assist in the control of gypsy
moth larvae Most species do not use the