Amara aenea is one of the shiny beetles you can spot in North America and Eurasia. It belongs to the Carabidae family known as ground beetles – one of the largest insect families comprising over 40,000 species. Ground beetles vary in color and shape, but most are shiny black or metallic with ridges on their wing covers. Many are completely flightless because of their elytra being fused together. They have broad feeding habits but are generally carnivorous and predatory, which is made possible by their strong mandibles.

Such is also the case with Amara aenea! They eat smaller insects considered pests.

They like to run around on sunny days, which is where their common name comes from! Always makes me happy to see them:)

PS. his name is Vergil (requested by a friend who saw me drawing)