St. Bees Seed-eater
Harpalus honestus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpalus_honestus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Carabidae
Genus
Harpalus
St. Bees Seed-eater belongs to the family Carabidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The St. Bees Seed-eater faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range. Invasive plant species have altered the composition of native grasslands and scrublands where this ground beetle depends on specific seed resources, while climate change is shifting precipitation patterns that affect both the beetle and its food plants.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits native grasslands, open scrublands, and sandy coastal areas with sparse vegetation where it forages for seeds of native grasses and herbs. Typically found in well-drained soils with scattered rocks and low-growing vegetation that provide shelter and hunting grounds.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The St. Bees Seed-eater faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range. Invasive plant species have altered the composition of native grasslands and scrublands where this ground beetle depends on specific seed resources, while climate change is shifting precipitation patterns that affect both the beetle and its food plants.
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion
Invasive plant species competition
Urban and infrastructure development
Climate change altering precipitation patterns
Pesticide use in adjacent agricultural areas
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). St. Bees Seed-eater (Harpalus honestus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/st-bees-seed-eater