They may also feed on aphids and immature scale insects. Each adult female lays hundreds of eggs in mealybug egg masses. When the beetle larvae hatch, they feed on immature mealybugs. Mealybug destroyers need warm temperatures and high humidity, so are better suited for greenhouses. If you purchase them, they are shipped as adults and should be released as soon as possible.
Some types eat slugs and snails.
While shapes and colors may vary widely, they are usually shiny. Black is a common color, sometimes with a metallic sheen of another color on their wing covers. Most ground beetles feed at night and hide in the soil or under debris during the day. Adults measure to one inch long and have a cone-shaped head and wide curving beak. They can cause a painful bite to a human if captured.