Violet Ground Beetle

Name: Violet Ground Beetle

Scientific name: Carabus violaceus

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 50

What are nature stars?

About: A common large ground beetle, about 3cm long, blackish with a purple sheen especially around the edges. Ground beetles are active predators, chasing and catching smaller invertebrates. Violet Ground Beetles are amongst the largest, a common insect found often found in gardens.

How to identify: There are several closely related species of Carabus beetle which are very difficult to tell apart.

Where: Widespread

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 70
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 40
• Cute factor: 30
• Traveller: 20

Fantastic fact: There are hundreds of species of ground beetle in the UK, which can be found in almost all habitats.

Photograph credit: Richard Carter