Purple beetle Crimean ground beetle: the benefits of a rare animal
Beetles are always unpleasant or even vile in the understanding of people. Some are very afraid of such creatures, someone just tries to avoid them. But there are representatives of a large family of ground beetles that look very attractive. This is a rare Crimean ground beetle.
Content
What does the Crimean ground beetle look like: photo
Description of the beetle
Name: Crimean ground beetle
Latin: Carabus (Procerus) scabrosus tauricusClass: Insects - Insecta
Squad: Coleoptera - Coleoptera
Family: Ground beetles - Carabus
 | Habitats: | foothills, forest floor |
 | Dangerous for: | small insects |
 | Attitude towards people: | protected in the Red Book |
Crimean ground beetle: bright, rare beetle.
The Crimean ground beetle is one of the largest representatives of its family.. This beetle can reach 5 cm in length. Legs are long and active. This subspecies was formerly considered part of the subspecies Rough or Caucasian Ground beetles. But now this species has been called an endemic species of the Crimea.
There are several forms of the Crimean ground beetle, which differ in color. Their belly is always black. Elytra rough, covered with large protrusions, wrinkles. Their color can vary from green to blue, purple and bronze, to almost black.
Habitat and distribution
This species inhabits all parts of the Crimea. It especially loves the foothills, and is less often seen in the dry part of the east of the peninsula. Likes forest floor in mountain forests and parks. Sometimes found on the surface of the foliage.
Existential Threats Crimean ground beetle from several sides:
- habitat destruction;
- capture by collectors;
- reduction of forage base;
- climate change.
Diet preferences
The beetle and its prey.
Crimean ground beetles are active predators with their own taste preferences. Shellfish are a favorite delicacy.. The beetle bites the snail, then drinks it. But she also eats:
- worms;
- small insects;
- caterpillars;
- invertebrates.
Economic importance
The Crimean ground beetle adapts well to changes in conditions, and also actively breeds in captivity. In entomological gardens, it gets used to new conditions well and actively begins to feed.
Life cycle
The life of the beetle reaches 2-3 years. Mating takes place in the spring, when warming, usually at the end of April. Further:
- females make clutches in the ground, at a depth of about 30 mm;
Ground beetle larva.
- within 14 days, larvae appear from the eggs;
- the length of the caterpillar is up to 20 mm, it is white and turns black during the day;
- active feeding begins on the second day after the appearance of the larvae;
- when she is full, she immediately pupates, passes into the imago stage;
- adults overwinter, stay in the ground until spring.
Conclusion
The Crimean ground beetle is one of the most beautiful and unusual beetles of the peninsula. Its elytra with a ribbed structure looks very attractive, with a sheen of blue-green and even purple hues. But the animal is very rare, it can be dangerous, it is better not to approach it.
