Carabus violaceus?

[Ratatoskr]

Hi,

I need help with this beetle. It's approximately 4 cm long (huge) and looks like a perfect work of art in it's forms. You can see the colors on it, I hope.
I've searched around for a few hours and come to my own conclusion of it being a "Carabus (Megodontus) violaceus violaceus", but me being no expert I would like a second opinion on this to make me feel safe on my choice of species/subspecies.

Thanks,
Mats

[Paul mabbott]

Certainly looks like Carabus violaceus - would like to see a wider view of the elytra for absolute certainty: the only likely confusion is with C. problematicus which has some pitting and a slightly different shape.

[bigdave60dog]

It is from a funny angle but the shape don`t look quite right for a Violet Ground Beetle (I do like English names) A bit short on the carapace to my way of thinking. -wrong "Jizz"- Could not say one way or the other though. There is not a lot else that it could though.
I like it`s pet mite.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

........ a Violet Ground Beetle (I do like English names) ...........

Which violet ground beetle? Carabus violaceus or Carabus problematicus?

[Ratatoskr]

Thank you all for your answers.

I was between the problematicus and the violaceus for quite a long time, trying to study them in detail to come to a conclusion. Any insect ID is hard for us non experts
Since watching photos on the internet can be deceiving because of the number of wrong ID's of the insect in question, I have to check hundreds of photos, on what servers they lie, and the background of the person posting the photo.
I discarded it as being problematicus since it to me seems like it has line formation on the elytra (is that correct term on non flying beetles?) from front to back with small holes/indentations along those lines. Am I wrong? Don't the problematicus always have this markings?

I know that more and better photos from different angles would have helped in the ID of this beetle but at the time I was in a hurry to get good ground level shots of this beautiful and fast paced predator.

I have another photo that maybe can help a bit more but I doubt it will give any extra help.
The beetle had 6 mites on the underside of the pronotum.
Do you know if those are in symbiosis or are they just a nuisance to the beetle?

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, C. problematicus usually has three rows of weak pits on each elytron (yes, the hardened forewings are called elytra) with some ridges - not always very obvious! It's one of those species pairs where the two species are absolutely obvious if you can get one of each next to each other (C. violaceus is much 'chunkier' with broader forebody and more rounded hindbody than C. problematicus but photographs of isolated specimens are not so easy.

You are wise to be sceptical about pictures on the web although the British Coleopterist site and the German Koleopterologie may be relied on.

Where did you find this? I note that you suggest a 'sub-species' violaceus which is probably not found in UK .....

PS: the mites are generally taken to be phoretic, just hitching a ride on the beetle. In large numbers they may interfere with the beetle's breathing and reproduction but they are not basically harmful.

Originally Posted by Ratatoskr

I was between the problematicus and the violaceus for quite a long time, trying to study them in detail to come to a conclusion. Any insect ID is hard for us non experts
Since watching photos on the internet can be deceiving because of the number of wrong ID's of the insect in question, I have to check hundreds of photos, on what servers they lie, and the background of the person posting the photo.
I discarded it as being problematicus since it to me seems like it has line formation on the elytra (is that correct term on non flying beetles?) from front to back with small holes/indentations along those lines. Am I wrong? Don't the problematicus always have this markings?

I know that more and better photos from different angles would have helped in the ID of this beetle but at the time I was in a hurry to get good ground level shots of this beautiful and fast paced predator.

I have another photo that maybe can help a bit more but I doubt it will give any extra help.
The beetle had 6 mites on the underside of the pronotum.
Do you know if those are in symbiosis or are they just a nuisance to the beetle?

[Ratatoskr]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Where did you find this? I note that you suggest a 'sub-species' violaceus which is probably not found in UK .....

Thanks Paul,

Sorry, I should have included where and in what kind of terrain + date this beetle was found.

This was taken in Sweden, August 17 of this year, at dusk. Found outside our country house in a mossy part of our natural grass garden. It is a very humid area and just 40 meters from a large lake. All of the forest area around us is abundant on mosses.

After all my hours searching, prior to posting here, I found this site hinting me to my identification:
Carabus (Megodontus) violaceus violaceus | Carabusonline 2.0

Would you consider this a trustworthy site ?

[Jason Green]

Evening Mats,

Just checking, was this photographed in the UK? Another good site is www.thewcg.org.uk

Take care,

Jason

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Evening Mats,

Just checking, was this photographed in the UK? Another good site is www.thewcg.org.uk

Take care,

Jason

Wakey, wakey, Jason. the post above yours says it was taken in Sweden.

[Jason Green]

... ah, we must have cross-posted