Carabus nitens
Heather beetle ( Carabus nitens )
The heather beetle ( Carabus nitens ) is a beetle of the genus Real beetle ( Carabus ). In Germany, the heather beetle as all the species under protection.
Features
The heather beetle reaches a body length of 13 to 18 millimeters, making it the smallest species of the genus in Central Europe. His body, in particular the wing covers ( elytra ) and the pronotum, are metallic gold green with red sides. Thus it resembles the larger gold beetle ( Carabus auratus ) and the Gold Shiny beetle ( Carabus auronitens ). In contrast to these all antennal segments are at Heide beetles including the basal joints black. More rarely, it can also be colored on the pronotum or completely red and gold. The elytra are provided with black wing ribs.
Distribution and habitat
The beetle is spread over large areas of Central, Northern and Eastern Europe. In southern Europe, this type occurs not from southern Germany there are few finds. To the east, its incidence is increasing slightly. The heather beetle is found mainly in dry areas, it is classified as xerophilic. Its habitat is mainly in sandy areas and as a characteristic species in sandy Calluna heaths, also on sandy areas in marshes, fields and river valleys, in high and low mountain ranges only in mountain valleys to 1,200 m altitude.
Way of life
Like most large ground beetles of the heath beetle feeds on predatory, it feeds mainly on insects and their larvae. It is encountered diurnal and especially in the months of April to October.