Carabidae cont. ground beetles

Carabidae Family

There are over 30 000 species of Carabids in 1500 genera world wide, 725 specie in Europe and over 350 in the UK. They are usually found on the ground and can run fast. The adults range in length from 3 - 36 mm, and are mainly nocturnal when they eat snails, slugs and many other invertebrates. In areas where the weather is cold, many species hibernate during the winter. There are photographs and drawings of species below. The drawing and photograph below shows a typical carabid larva. The abdomen has 10 segments including the anal tube, 3 leg-bearing segments making up the thorax, and 1 head segment.

Most of the European Carabidae are voracious predators of plant-eating insects, slugs and snails, therefore should be cherished by gardeners.

Calathus melanocephalus

On the left is Calathus melanocephalus. The adult ranges in size form 6 - 9 mm. It is easy to recognise with its characteristic tan pronotum, antennae and legs, with a black head and elytra. It is found in open country, especially grassland throughout the U.K. and Europe.

Nebria gyllenhali

Below is Nebria gyllenhali, also known as Nebria rufescens. It is usually found near streams, stony river margins, moorland and coastal areas. The adult is 8.6 - 12.0 mm long.

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Carabus violaceus, common name - the violet ground beetle

On the left is Carabus violaceus, the violet ground beetle. The name comes from the violet sheen around the edges of the adult elytra and thorax. This is an abundant species common everywhere in forests, open country, parks and gardens from Europe east to Japan. Adults are flightless and are seen mainly in the summer. It is nocturnal, but when disturbed it moves quickly and is easily seen. Its favourite food are slugs. Usually slugs defend themselves from attack by producing copious quantities of sticky mucous, but Carabus violaceus prevents this by stunning them with a sharp blow to the mantle. Recently it has been found that Carabus violaceus will also eat vine weevil. In the photograph the scale on the left is in 0.5 mm, and on the right in 1/32 of an inch. Adults range in size from 20 - 30 mm long.

The larva hibernates over winter before pupating into an adult.

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Agonum dorsale

Below is Agonum dorsale. Unlike others in the Agonum genus this species can be found in drier areas such as open meadows, grassland and gardens. It is a really beautiful beetle with a dark green metallic sheen. Adults range in size from 5.8 - 8.2 mm long.