| Species | Blue ground beetle - Carabus intricatus, beetle |
| Habitat | UPLAND OAKWOOD |
| Background and status | Blue ground beetles
are usually between 24mm-36mm in length, and appear in several metallic
colourings across southern Europe. They are found only in mature beech and
oak woodland with little ground vegetation and high humidity, in particular
the humus layer of tree bark- it is considered to be an indicator species
for deadwood in Europe.
Being essentially predators, they tend to disregard an easy meal such as a dead insect, preferring instead to track their prey at night. In warm weather, they are often found sheltering among leaves, rotting wood and stones, whilst being dormant during periods of drought. During autumn, the emerging adults may pair before the winter's hibernation, where several dozen can congregate, protected by leaf litter and rotting wood. Known to be in decline in Europe and is considered threatened in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Denmark. Its status elsewhere is uncertain. It has always been rare in the UK with records from only twelve sites in Devon and Cornwall. In 1994, a survey found the beetle at just two of these sites, both small woodlands on the edge of Dartmoor. It may however occur at five other sites where the habitat remains suitable. |
| Main Threats |
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| Conservation and targets |
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