Carabus nemoralis

Carabus nemoralis is a ground beetle common in central and northern Europe, as well as Iceland and Canada. While native to Europe, it has been introduced to and is expanding its range throughout North America.

Ecology

Feeding habits

Carabus nemoralis is a beneficial predator as it eats the agricultural pest Deroceras reticulatum slug in its young stage and also its eggs. Use of Carabus nemoralis as a biocontrol agent for multiple pests in large scale farming operations have been tested in recent years. Larvae are voracious hunters, resembling rove beetles. They can be found preying on annelids and slugs during early summer months.

Defensive adaptations

It is known that some Carabus nemoralis populations will regurgitate foul-smelling brownish-red liquid as a defense mechanism against predators. Specimens can also fire fecal matter at high speed to a considerable distance, if picked up or otherwise threatened.

Reproduction

Carabus nemoralis typically has one breeding period in the spring with eggs hatching in autumn of the same year.)

Subspecies

Carabus nemoralis nemoralis
Carabus nemoralis lamadridae Born, 1895
Carabus nemoralis prasinotinctus Heyden, 1880