Carabus violaceus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Ground Beetles (Carabidae) are quick, long-legged predators, equipped with powerful jaws. Carabus violaceus (more usually known as the Violet Ground Beetle) is one of the largest species in the UK, measuring about 20-30mm in length. It is often to be found during the day under logs and stones. The one pictured was a rather sluggish individual (hence the photos) found in mid-October 2007 on Budby Common. It seems common around the Dukeries area and we have found it at Eakring on a couple of occasions. Potential confusion could come from the very similar C. problematicus (see below)
....
 
....
 
     
Elytral comparison of C. violaceus and C. problematicus
C. violaceus   C. problematicus
 
 
Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Carabus violaceus
 
 
 
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Sherwood Forest Trust (2008 Oak Tree Heath invertebrate survey). Tim Sexton. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. M L Denton (2002 Sherwood Forest Coleoptera survey). Netherfield Wildlife Group. Wil Heeney. Nottingham City Council. Stuart Warrington. The National Trust (Clumber Park invertebrate records). NBGRC. Rob Johnson. David Shaw. Chris Smith.

You can contribute your own records to help us gain an accurate status of this species in Nottinghamshire. Send an Excel spreadsheet of your records via the 'contact us' link at the top of the homepage.

Updated January 2024

copyright © Trevor and Dilys Pendleton (www.eakringbirds.com) . .
Beetle Photo Gallery - Thumbnail version
Beetle Photo Gallery - Text version