(Scaphinotus angusticollis)
This snail-eating beetle is one of the more distinctive and attractive of the ground beetles. It is common in forests, parks, and gardens in our area. They have an appetite for escargot, but will eat slugs when shelled delicacies are scarce! The narrow head is an adaptation for eating snails from the shell. This Beetle is mainly nocturnal, but after rainfall, they become quite active, even during the daytime.
Like many ground beetles, this Beetle is flightless. The hind wings are practically nonexistent. This means that if you can make your garden beetle-friendly, they will stick around. The larvae live in the soil and prey on soil insects that can do much harm to your garden.
Four types of snail-eating beetle species occur in the Pacific Northwest, one is limited to the Olympic Mountains, and the other three are common on the Coast.
Do you know what kind of beetle this is? It jumps along and seems to be found only in sunny spots along the path I walk along, in Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island. I’m not sure if you can access the photo I attached but I hope so.
thanks,
Ann
common field cricket.
Thanks, I have only just read your response!