ground beetle

noun

1. any of numerous nocturnal, terrestrial beetles of the family Carabidae that feed chiefly on other insects.

ground beetle

noun

1. any beetle of the family Carabidae, often found under logs, stones, etc, having long legs and a dark coloration
2. any beetle of the family Tenebrionidae, feeding on plants and plant products
3. any of various other beetles that live close to or beneath the ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground beetle¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Creatures such as frogs, thrushes, and ground beetles, rely on them for food and they are also part of a hedgehog's diet.

From BBC

For example, one Dutch study on ground beetles was started in 1959 and continues today.

From Science Daily

Coarsely mulched soil that’s rich in organic matter, like leaf mold, supports good soil biology, consisting of beneficial fungi and larger soil organisms such as earthworms, millipedes and ground beetles.

From Seattle Times

Medicine farms popped up for a host of additional species, including geckos, ground beetles, scorpions, snakes, and seahorses.

From Salon

The ongoing escalation of pesticide-intensive agriculture and pollution are major driving factors in the precipitous decline of many soil organisms, like ground beetles and ground-nesting bees.

From Scientific American