Carabus problematicus

Blue Violet forest ground beetle ( Carabus problematicus )

The Blue Violet forest ground beetle ( Carabus problematicus ) is a beetle of the Real beetle ( Carabus ).

Features

The Blue Violet forest ground beetle reaches a body length of 20 to 30 mm, making it one of the major species of beetle in Europe. His body, in particular the wing covers ( elytra ) and the pronotum are bright blue to blue-black. The elytra are longitudinally ribbed and fitted with chain rows which are relatively indistinct pronounced, however.

Dissemination

The beetle is spread over large areas of Europe, and most common, particularly in Central and Southwest Europe. East of the Elbe it is rare and can only be detected in isolated reserves. Its distribution extends in Scandinavia to beyond the Arctic Circle. He lives mainly in the low mountain ranges and at higher mountain areas and can be found up to the dwarf shrub stage.

Way of life

The Blue Violet forest ground beetle inhabits a wide variety of coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests, also hedges and drained, forested bogs. In higher mountain areas and in Northern Europe it prefers dry areas, it must be classified there as xerophilic. One finds the animals under stones, in dead wood stumps, fallen trees, under loose bark and baumbewachsenden mosses.

Like most large beetle is the dark blue ground beetle is a predator that feeds mainly on other insects and their larvae, as well as snails and worms. It is encountered crepuscular from May to September. Hibernation takes place as a function of location Imago or larva. The propagation time is also dependent on the temperature.