Calosoma reticulatum

Dolls, wetted robber ( Calosoma reticulatum )

The Reticulated dolls robber ( Calosoma reticulatum ) is a beetle of the family of ground beetles ( Carabidae ) and belongs to the genus of the dolls robber ( Calosoma ).

Features

The beetles are 20 to 26 millimeters long. They are mostly black in color, but in some parts of the body green metallic - colored, often with a reddish shimmer is present. It owes its name to the species-specific network structure of the wing covers.

Occurrence

The animals are found in North and Central Europe. In Germany, this species is threatened with extinction, most finds date from the 1950s, especially from the area around Berlin. Meanwhile, it is found only north and west of the Lüneburg Heath. They live in sandy areas, such as on dry heaths, fields and open woods. They can be found either on the ground or on low vegetation.

Way of life

The beetles feed exclusively on caterpillars of butterflies.