Brief SummaryRead full entry
BiologyUntil recently, little was known about the life cycle of the blue ground beetle, but following field research, more is known now about the adults. Blue ground beetles are nocturnal carnivores, and tests have shown they prefer a certain species of slug Limax marginatus. (They were also found to have a taste for liver, dog food and crabsticks!) In the wild, the adults are found under bark on deadwood, and under rocks. The beetles seem to be active throughout the year and a fully-grown larva has been found in summer. This specimen also ate slugs prior to pupating, and emerged as an adult some three weeks later. It is thought that, being a large beetle, it may take two years to complete its life cycle. The adults are known to be very long-lived by beetle standards.