3 Bugs That Look Like Ground Beetles

1. Oriental Cockroach

A shiny, dark brown to black cockroach that prefers cool, damp places such as basements, drains and crawl spaces. Females have tiny wing pads, and neither sex can fly.

How it differs:

• Group: Ground Beetle belongs to beetles, while Oriental cockroach belongs to cockroaches. Hard wing covers that meet in a straight line down the back.
• Color: Ground Beetles are black and metallic; Oriental cockroaches are black and brown.
• Risk: the ground beetle poses no real threat to people, pets or property, while the Oriental cockroach is a nuisance pest but not a health threat to most people.

2. June Bug

A heavy, reddish-brown beetle that crashes into screens and porch lights on late-spring nights. Its C-shaped white grubs live in soil and chew grass roots.

How it differs:

• Size: Ground Beetles are larger, reaching 30 mm, while June bugs top out around 25 mm.
• Color: Ground Beetles are black and metallic; June bugs are brown.
• Risk: the ground beetle poses no real threat to people, pets or property, while the June bug is a nuisance pest but not a health threat to most people.

3. Eyed Click Beetle

A long, gray-and-black beetle with two large, eye-like spots on its thorax. When flipped over, it snaps a hinge on its body and launches itself into the air with an audible click.

How it differs:

• Size: Eyed Click Beetles are larger, reaching 45 mm, while ground beetles top out around 30 mm.
• Color: Ground Beetles are black and metallic; eyed click beetles are black, white and gray.
• Where found: look for ground beetles in gardens and on plants, in basements and garages and in lawns and grass; eyed click beetles turn up in woods and along trails and on trees and shrubs.

Side-by-side comparison

Quick identification checklist

1. Count the legs. Ground Beetles have 6 legs.
2. Check for wings. Ground Beetles have wings.
3. Measure it. Ground Beetles are 5–30 mm (up to about 1.2 in).
4. Look for the signature feature: shiny black body, often with a metallic sheen.
5. Note where you found it. Ground Beetles are usually in gardens and on plants, in basements and garages and in lawns and grass.

When you'll see ground beetles

Ground Beetles are most active in spring, summer and fall. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings.

Typical places to check: garden or plants, basement or garage and lawn or grass.

About beetles

The ground beetle is one of the beetles. Beetles go through complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (grub), pupa and adult. The larval stage often does the most feeding and damage, and it can last from a few weeks to several years depending on the species. Adults protect their flight wings under hard wing covers called elytra, which is why most beetles look armored and meet in a neat line down the back.

Look closely at larvae as well as adults. Grubs in soil, fuzzy larvae in closets and small worms in flour are all beetle larvae, and finding them tells you where the problem is centered.

Are ground beetles or their lookalikes dangerous?

• Ground Beetle: Ground beetles rarely bite and are beneficial predators; a few release a harmless, bad-smelling spray.
• Oriental Cockroach: Oriental cockroaches feed on garbage and sewage and can spread bacteria to surfaces.
• June Bug: June bugs are harmless to people; they do not bite or sting.
• Eyed Click Beetle: Eyed click beetles are harmless; the eyespots are a bluff to scare predators.

Frequently asked questions