Adults are about 3/4 inch long and uniformly black, sometimes shiny. The mouthparts extend forward, and the mandibles are large.
Development. Eggs are laid in soil, and larvae are predaceous on ground-dwelling insects. Larvae complete development in early summer; adults are active for several months.
Habits. Adults are predators of insects, particularly caterpillars. They are usually found in leaf litter, thatch in turfgrass, and mulch. They will move indoors around doors and windows. These beetles are very capable flyers and are attracted to lights at night. They sometimes are mistaken for cockroaches.