CARABIDAE: Ground Beetles

This is one of the major beetle families and members of this group are commonly known as ground beetles. They are small to large beetles and can range from 1-60 millimetres in body length. They are recognisable by their flattened body shape and ridged elytra. They have long legs for fast movement and prominent mandibles. All carabids are terrestrial and can be found living under the bark of trees or amid the foliage, under rocks and fallen logs, in crevices in the ground and at the edges of streams, ponds and beaches. Many of the ground dwelling species are flightless.

Both the larvae and adults of carabids are carnivorous and predatory. Many larvae lie in burrows or other sheltered areas and wait for unsuspecting prey while some actively hunt through the soil or vegetation seeking out the larvae of other insects. Adults often shelter under objects during the day and emerge at night to hunt insects and other small invertebrates such as slaters and worms grasping them with their powerful mandibles.

Philoscaphus tuberculatus

Calosoma schayeri (green carab beetle)

Megacephala australis

Little is known of the ecology of the large carab beetle, Philoscaphus tuberculatus is known to grow to approximately 30 millimetres in length and adults are known to favour more arid environments where they can be found under logs and rocks. This species can often be caught in pitfall traps. Philoscaphus tuberculatus is a burrowing species and the larvae are thought to live primarily underground. This species is found mainly in the Murray-Darling basin, in open forest or mallee habitats. Adults are nocturnal.

The green carab beetle is a large ground beetle which can grow to around 27 millimetres in length. Both the larvae and adults feed on other insects and under favourable conditions can build up in large numbers. Adults are nocturnal and often attracted to lights at night. When disturbed they can produce a nasty smelling odour as a defence against attack. This species is active during the summer months and can be found hunting on the ground or on vegetation during the day. The larvae of this species is thought to dwell predominantly underground. The green carab beetle occurs over much of Australia and is often collected in pitfall traps.

Megacephala australis is a predatory tiger beetle that moves quickly along the ground hunting down other insects. This species can grow to around 22 millimetres in length and may occasionally be attracted to lights at night but during the day they are commonly found under logs. Megacephala australis produces a strong smelling liquid when disturbed which helps protect it from predators.

For more carabid species visit the Australian Insect Common Names.