There are more kinds of beetles than any other insect. More than 400,000 species are known. In Alberta, the most commonly seen beetles in yards and gardens are ground beetles. They are often found under rocks and boards. All are predatory as both larvae and adults, and most are active at twilight and night.
Ground beetles destroy many garden pests.
The common, black ground beetles eat up to 4 times their own weight of pests per day. Most species lay their eggs in the early fall and overwinter as larvae. Many ground beetles decrease in numbers where herbicides and pesticides are used.