i 9 4 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



| inch long ; has a rounded pearl-shaped body, not so long as the typical 

 beetle, head narrowing into a beak. Found in sand-pits and woods. Widely 

 distributed. 



Carabus catenulatus. Black, with violet margins ; about i inch long ; wing- 

 cases grooved with fine broken lines. Common. (The genus Carabus includes 

 the true Ground Beetles, many of which are of bright metallic colouring. As 

 a rule they seek their prey by night. They possess as a means of defence 

 the power to eject a strong fluid, which has caustic properties.) 



C. granulatus (Fig. 6). A dark bronze-coloured beetle, with black antennae. 

 Common ; found in swampy places. 



C. niteus (Fig. 7). The smallest of this genus in Britain ; a brilliant green, 

 with coppery red edges ; three black ridges on the elytra. Found on moors 

 and mosses. 



C. violaceus (Fig. 8), the Violet Ground Beetle. Length, about I inch ; 

 a black head, and black elytra and thorax, but tinged with purple metallic 

 lustre, and edged by the same ; long black legs. Common. 



C. nemoralis (Fig. 9). Length about I inch ; head black, but rest of 

 body coppery green ; the elytra have three rows of punctures, easily visible. 

 Common everywhere. 



C. arvensis. Not so large ; colour a metallic lustre, varying from copper 

 to greenish ; legs black ; three rows of small rounded points on each elytron. 

 Found on sandy heaths. Local in England ; common in the Highlands. 



Notiophilus aquaticus (Fig. 5). (Notiophilus is a genus of very small beetles 

 about j inch long ; shining bronze in colour ; eyes large ; swift running. 

 Found in damp places.) N. aquaticus is brassy in colour. Common under 

 stones and moss in damp localities. N. biguttatus is bronze above; black, 

 with greenish lustre, underneath ; there is a dusky yellow on the thighs. 

 Common. 



Leistus spinibarbis (Fig. 10). Blue-black elytra, with reddish brown legs; 

 antennas reddish ; length about inch. Found under stones and bark, espe- 

 cially in hilly districts. Generally distributed in England ; rare in Scotland 

 and Ireland. 



Nebria brevicollis (Fig. n). Length about inch ; black, with reddish 

 antennae and legs. A rather flattish beetle, found under stones in damp places. 

 Common. 



Elaphrus riparius. Length J- inch; very similar to a Tiger Beetle. 

 Coppery green in colour; legs with yellow tibiae; elytra have four rows of 

 round punctures of lighter colour. Found in muddy places near streams. 

 Fond of sunshine. Common. 



Elaphrus cupreus (Fig. 4). Much like the above, but a darker bronze. 

 Similar eye-spots on the wing-cases ; yellowish brown tibiae. Common on 

 the edges of ponds. 



Clivinia fossor (Fig. 12). (Only two of the genus Clivinia are found in 

 Britain.) Length about inch ; black, with reddish legs ; distinct punctured 



