The UK has approximately 360 species of Carabidae, most of which can be observed with the naked eye. Making these species a great introduction to the world of beetles for adults and children just walking through the woods or in the countryside. The carabid species mainly nocturnal hunting other insect species and general movement at night but can still be seen during the day.
The UK has approximately 360 species of Carabidae, most of which can be observed with the naked eye. Making these species a great introduction to the world of beetles for adults and children just walking through the woods or in the countryside. The carabid species mainly nocturnal hunting other insect species and general movement at night but can still be seen during the day.
Take a look at these the same species just the male is a bright metallic green, but the female is plain brown or black the difference is impressive.
A large (15 mm) tiger beetle that is iridescent green with yellow markings. A large (15 mm) tiger beetle that is iridescent green with yellow markings. They are widespread in Britain. It can be found in bare ground and areas of little to no vegetation. Both adults and larvae are predators of other invertebrates. The larvae dig a burrow in the ground, often on or near paths to pitfall-trap unwary insects.
The Elaphrus cupreus (Bronze and purple spots figure 6) Length 8- or 9-mm. Bronze with conspicuous purple ocellate depressions on the elytra. Antennae are black, tibiae are brown, and the rest of the legs are black but often with metallic, usually bluish, reflections. The head is wider than the quadrate pronotum. The Elaphrus riparius (green Figure 7) Length 6.5 to 7.5 mm. Metallic green elytra with pale lilac markings and a pair of round violet depressions that appear to be edged with silver in strong light. Legs long, femora metallic green, strongly micro sculptured, tibiae red but darkened and metallic at the apex. Tarsi shining metallic green.
How to identify.
1 Filiform (threadlike) antenna (in the British sub-families).
2 Five segmented tarsi.
3 Hind coxae forming triangular plates that divide the first sub-abdominal segment.
4 Hind trochanters are lobed, extending partway along the third hind margin of the femora.
Take a look at these the same species just the male is a bright metallic green, but the female is plain brown or black the difference is impressive.
The Elaphrus cupreus (Bronze and purple spots figure 6) Length 8- or 9-mm. Bronze with conspicuous purple ocellate depressions on the elytra. Antennae are black, tibiae are brown, and the rest of the legs are black but often with metallic, usually bluish, reflections. The head is wider than the quadrate pronotum. The Elaphrus riparius (green Figure 7) Length 6.5 to 7.5 mm. Metallic green elytra with pale lilac markings and a pair of round violet depressions that appear to be edged with silver in strong light. Legs long, femora metallic green, strongly micro sculptured, tibiae red but darkened and metallic at the apex. Tarsi shining metallic green.
How to identify.
1 Filiform (threadlike) antenna (in the British sub-families).
2 Five segmented tarsi.
3 Hind coxae forming triangular plates that divide the first sub-abdominal segment.
4 Hind trochanters are lobed, extending partway along the third hind margin of the femora.
The image below (figure 8) will help to visualise the biology of the average Carabidae spp.
Just showing a few that I find interesting of the 360 species of Carabidae found in the UK and Ireland. These species are essential to agriculture providing free green pest control as predators hunt and keep the local populations of pest species in check. So, it is best to encourage them onto your land, and they will help protect your crops and reduce the need for pesticides which is good for us and the environment. To attract more of these species, you only really need to do two things; have water sources on the land, for example, ponds or lakes and cover. This could be in the form of rocks or dead wood scattered around. This could also be accomplished with mulch somewhere for them to hide during the day. I would suggest a mixture of these as some species prefer different habitats, so the more habitats you provide, the more species-rich the land will be.
The image below (figure 8) will help to visualise the biology of the average Carabidae spp.
Just showing a few that I find interesting of the 360 species of Carabidae found in the UK and Ireland. These species are essential to agriculture providing free green pest control as predators hunt and keep the local populations of pest species in check. So, it is best to encourage them onto your land, and they will help protect your crops and reduce the need for pesticides which is good for us and the environment. To attract more of these species, you only really need to do two things; have water sources on the land, for example, ponds or lakes and cover. This could be in the form of rocks or dead wood scattered around. This could also be accomplished with mulch somewhere for them to hide during the day. I would suggest a mixture of these as some species prefer different habitats, so the more habitats you provide, the more species-rich the land will be.