Ground Beetle ID

[black]

I photographed this Ground Beetle that was hiding under a rotting log in Marbury CP, Cheshire at the weekend. Body and head c1.6cm long. Cychrus caraboides perhaps?
Thanks

[paul m]

I should think so - would like a better look at the head () to be absolutely sure but the narrow pronotum rules out the black Carabus species. Cychrus caraboides is the only British member of the species - there's at least another one elsewhere in Europe.

It has a very narrow, relatively long forebody and head - this allows it to eat snails out of their shells.

Originally Posted by black

I photographed this Ground Beetle that was hiding under a rotting log in Marbury CP, Cheshire at the weekend. Body and head c1.6cm long. Cychrus caraboides perhaps?
Thanks

[black]

Thanks, it was the only species I thought looked right. The only other pics I have its head was tucked even further down, got camera shy There were plenty of those small Garlic Snails around so it would have had lots to munch on

[Pudding4brains]

I'll make Paul happy


To me it looks like Cychrus caraboides too Here are the two Dutch Carabus sp. with more or less similar elytra:
Carabus coriaceus
Carabus nemoralis

To me the pronota of both are much wider and shorter

Also, both are notably bigger - especially coriaceus is huge in comparisson

Cheers, Arp