Good Bugs

We always seem to talk about the "bad" bugs. There really aren't any "bad" bugs, just bugs that get in our way and interrupt our agenda.

In past articles, I've discussed many of these so- called bad guys, so for something different, I thought I'd share some information about a "good"

bug.

What got me thinking about this was in discovering several Big-headed Ground Beetles in my compost pile. This beetle, as the name implies, is very easy to recognize. It is in the Carabidae (ground beetle) family, genus Scarites, species subterraneus (Big- headed Ground Beetle).

Adult beetles are about 20mm (3/4 of an inch) in size and are shiny, pitch black. Their antennae are somewhat paler in color, and their wing covers are rather deeply striated. They have a scarcely punctate head and very broad, large jaws

Generally found in moist soil, burrows and under plant debris, stones, logs, etc., they prey on other insects and range throughout most of the United States except in the Pacific Northwest.

If you see one of these guys, give them a hand. They are one of the "good" guys.

Just an added note, Ciegler (2000) reported "that one of these beetles in South Carolina was found inside a corn stalk feeding on a corn stalk borer."

Yea for the good guys!

Jim Revell, Bedford Area Master Gardener