My first outdoor bug shot (in the white box) for 2012! This purple-rimmed Carabus (Carabus nemoralis Muller, 1764) is also known as the European Ground Beetle.
The elytra on this one was a dull bronze, an unusual sight for me, because I have only seen black specimens before. I noticed it was different immediately as it scurried out of the leaves I was raking in the front garden. The purple-rimmed carabus is a European import that is synanthropic, and not found in the wild.The Edmonton area seems to be an island in Alberta for this species, with only a few having been found outside of the city environs. They are a generalist feeder, taking slugs, snails, earthworms, as well as centipedes and millipedes. Reaching a size between 22 – 26mm, this is a good-sized ground beetle, capable of giving you a nip if handled incorrectly!
References
- Bugs of Alberta by John Acorn
- Carabus nemoralis :: Ground Beetles of Ireland
- Entomology Collection > Carabus nemoralis
- Carabus nemoralis
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- A Caterpillar Hunter (bugs.adrianthysse.com)
- Beetle Brained: Carabus nemoralis
- A trio of beautiful beetles ( The Bug Geek)
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One Comment
Thanks for the brilliant photographs, and description. Helped me ID the Carabus I found in the garden today, and inspired me to get a light box. Julia Colley, Near Buxton, UK