Carabus granulatus
Carabus granulatus, common name granulated ground beetle, is a species of beetle. It is found across the Palearctic from Ireland to the Russian Far East and has been introduced to North America. It is widespread in Europe. C. granulatus lives in fields, prairies, taiga and in forests. Also along river margins, in fens, lakeshores, and upland peat. It is occasional in gardens.
Description
It is a small Carabus, winged and characterized by an elongated body which is not very convex and an enlarged thorax. The antennae and the legs are black, the upper part of the animal shiny, predominantly greenish bronze, green or occasionally black. The elytra are subparallel with "chain link".Biology
Carabus granulatus is one of the very few species of ground beetles that have not completely lost their ability to fly, only the mountain forms are short-winged. Nevertheless, the nocturnal animals generally remain on the ground, where they prey on insects, worms and snails. During the day they hide under tree trunks or stones. From autumn to spring, the animals often spend the winter together in tree stumps. The females lay about forty eggs. The larvae moult three times before pupating in the ground. The adult beetles hatch in autumn.Subspecies
- Carabus granulatus calabricus Spettoli & Vigna Taglianti, 2001
- Carabus granulatus daghestanicus Lapouge, 1925
- Carabus granulatus duarius Fischer von Waldheim, 1844
- Carabus granulatus granulatus Linnaeus, 1758
- Carabus granulatus interstitialis Duftschmid, 1812
- Carabus granulatus leander Kraatz, 1878
- Carabus granulatus telluris Bates, 1883
- Carabus granulatus yezoensis Bates, 1883