Violet Ground Beetle

Facts about Violet Ground Beetles, Scientific name for Violet ground beetle is Carabus violaceus". The Violet Ground Beetle is normally refered to as the rain beetle is a nocturnal beetle from the family Carabidae. The Violet Ground Beetle is among the larget beetle species in the United Kingdom as it measures about up to 1 1/8 inches (20 to 30 millimeters). The Violet Ground Beetle is also widespread in most parts of Europe and Japan. The Carabus violaceus are known to prefer woodlands and marshy area where there are plenty of small animals for them to prey on. These areas also include gardens. Other habitats that you will likely find the Violet Ground Beetle inhabiting are farmlands, towns, and grasslands. In general, this is a widespread species of beetle and is not limited to just a few habitats, such as water scavengers are.

Attributes of Violet Ground Beetle

Most people confuse the beetle with the Carabus Promlematicus. However, these two beetles have notable differences in their elytra. The elytra of Carabus violaceus unlike that of the Carabus Promlematicus are smoother and spot fewer ridges and dimples. Since the Violet Ground Beetle is nocturnal, you will commonly find it under stones and logs during the day. Although the Violet Ground Beetle is common throughout the year, most of them hibernate in the coldest seasons, only to come up when the temperatures are more conducive to them, warmer.

Violet Ground Beetle are large, shiny, black beetles with violet edges to their smooth, oval wing cases (elytra) and the thorax. Their name comes from the coloration of their metallic purple edges.

Feeding of Violet Ground Beetle

The Violet Ground Beetle is a predator and will therefore emerge at night to hunt for animals such as slugs and other smaller insects. Other animals often hunted by the Violet ground beetle include worms and snails. The larvae of the Violet Ground Beetle are carnivorous too, often feeding on snails, worms, and smaller insects like the adult beetles do. Unlike most common beetles that are known to destroy crops and trees, the violet ground beetle will never destroy a plant since it is a predator. Its feeding characteristic is often an advantage since it feeds on a variety of small creatures that are often herbivores. This feeding behavior is particularly helpful to gardeners as the Violet Ground Beetle feeds on are organisms such as the slugs and snails whose presence in the garden can be very detrimental. The Grey field slug (Deroceras reticulatum) is known to be very destructive agricultural pest. The presence of the Violet Ground Beetles in a garden infested by these slugs, helps protect the crops as the beetles consume the slugs. The Violet Ground Beetle also feeds on other insects such as worms and weevils, animals that are known to cause a lot of trouble for farmers due to their destruction of food.

Reproduction of Violet Ground Beetle

Normally, the Violet Ground Beetle lay eggs in the soil or in places with accumulated organic matter. The larvae have elongated and relatively soft-bodied grubs. The grubs have three pairs of legs near the head end. The larvae, unlike the adult beetles are less active and will remain in the ground feeding on smaller invertebrates and their eggs.