This brief video documents my recent encounter with the elusive Blue Ground Beetle (Carabus Intricatus), a creature of captivating beauty and vital ecological importance.
Despite the customary hibernation of these beetles during winter here in Central Europe, a lone Carabus Intricatus emerged from his slumber when I was on one of my forest strolls. Shimmering hues of metallic blue on his exoskeleton quickly attracted my attention.
Blue Ground Beetles are skilled predators. As voracious hunters, they play a role as natural pest control agents, feasting on an array of small invertebrates, particularly forest-dwelling slugs like the Lehmannia Marginata, which I included in the video (from another encounter).
But Blue Ground Beetles are not without adversaries. Birds in particular pose a constant threat. The beetles' predominantly nocturnal habits offer a shield against diurnal predators, but with him being out during the day, I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern.
So I gently picked him up and found him a new sanctuary within a damp, decaying log.
As the beetle settled into his newfound home, I departed with a lighter heart, knowing that this remarkable being continues his quest to protect my tasty mushroom - one slug at a time :o)
00:00 Disclaimer
00:15 Gorgeous Metallic Blue on This Ground Beetle
00:45 Lehmannia Marginata Slug
01:04 Carabus Intricatus Front View
01:31 Getting Blue Ground Beetle to Safety