COLEOPTERA > ADEPHAGA > Carabidae > Carabinae

Following on from the brief introduction to the Carabidae subfamilies on the first page, the Carabinae, as recognised under the latest classification, includes the vast majority of British ground beetles - around 350 species which, although variable in terms of size and appearance, could generally be described as typically medium-sized, mainly shiny black beetles, usually oval, often with longitudinally ridged elytra and a thorax that is broader than the head. Finer details and specific features characterise individuals, which are grouped accordingly into various tribes.

Given the majority of ground beetles are nocturnal, I don't expect to achieve anything more than a brief representation, although I'm sure that over time the list will grow thereby requiring additional pages, but for now the species that I have seen and photographed are included here on two pages.

Most of the frequently encountered and well-documented ground beetles have common names, which I've used as the primary identifier followed by the species name in [brackets]. I appreciate that colloquial names can be misleading, but they do serve a purpose in signifying that the species is indeed recognised and, dare I say, important enough to have been given a name, although having a common name doesn't necessarily mean the species is common. Those species without a common name are referenced accordingly.

The list is pretty much in taxonomic order, with notes regarding size and identification rather than where the species may be found unless the location and/or habitat is particularly relevant. The associated tribe is included in the extended caption, visible when hovering over or clicking to enlarge the photo.

Moorland Ground Beetle [Carabus arvensis]

Medium to large, 16-20mm, somewhat variable carabid, typically shiny metallic bronze or coppery, but with some individuals more greenish, bluish or black. Elytra with longitudinal rows of raised, elongated tubercles. Eyes prominent. A localised species maninly found on heathland and moorland.

Ridged Violet Ground Beetle [Carabus problematicus]

Large, 20-28mm black species with blue or violet metallic reflection on the pronotum and around the margins of the elytra. Similar to Carabus violaceus, which is less extensively blue on the pronotum and is slightly more elongate in form.

Snail Hunter [Cychrus caraboides]

Medium to large, 14-19mm, bulbous-bodied, dull black species with fine granulate sculpturing, head narrow and long, pronotum narrow and quadrate with a flat dorsal surface.

Common Heart-shield [Nebria brevicollis]

Medium, 11-14mm, body and femora black or dark brown, rest of legs and antennae reddish-brown, pronotum rounded and strongly punctured laterally and across the base. Very similar to Nebria salina and best distinguished by having fine pale hairs on the upper surface of the hind tarsi and a more defined beaded edge to the pronotum. They can easily be confused, but whereas Nebria brevicollis is found in a variety of habitats including woodland and gardens, Nebria salina is far more likely to be encountered on heathland or around coastal dunes and cliffs.

Beard-runner [Loricera pilicornis]

Small to medium, 6-8mm, distinctive, fast-moving, dark brown to black species with a greenish reflection. Pronotum with rounded sides, contracted basally with slightly rounded hind angles. Elytra with three distinct depressions along the fourth interval.

Common Shoulderblade [Abax parallelepipedus]

Large, 17-22mm, generally shiny black, wide and flat species with a pronotum that has large depressions and is almost as broad as the elytra. They are superficially similar to a number of other black ground beetles, particularly Pterostichus spp., but are generally larger with a wider body and characterised by the sharp raised ridge from the shoulder of the elytra.

Rainbow Greenclock [Poecilus versicolor]

Not dissimilar to Poecilus cupreus, which is distinguished by having a finely punctured frons, this largish, 10-12mm species typically has a shining green head and a brassy to reddish, often bicoloured, pronotum and elytra. Widespread, occurring in various habitats, but favouring wet grassland areas. A diurnal species that is particularly active in warm sunshine.

Common Blackclock [Pterostichus madidus]

Medium to large, 14-18mm (smaller than Abax), shining black species with rounded hind angles to the pronotum. The elytra are almost parallel sided with one dorsal puncture towards the rear on the third interval. Black legged and red legged forms occur, although the latter is mainly found in western areas.

Great Blackclock [Pterostichus niger]

Averaging a little larger than Pterostichus madius at 16-21mm (much as Abax), otherwise similar although distinguished by the general shape of the slightly flatter pronotum, which has shallowly sinuate edges with sharp hind angles and two basal depressions either side of the mid-line. The elytra are long and somewhat parallel sided with deep unpunctured striae.

Lesser Blackclock [Pterostichus minor]

There are twenty or so species in this genus and Pterostichus minor is one of the smallest at around 7-8mm long which, from my limited experience, makes them even harder to identify from photos. Not surprisingly, I had help with this one. The important features here are having an accurate assessment of the size, coupled with the general apperance and the details of the pronotum - shape, sharp hind angles and the long and short basal fovea - together with the habitat, which was wet grassland.

Updated, Jan.25 (v.5)