Beetle on my plot today

[ceres]

About an inch long.

[attachment=1]

[ceres]

[hippydave]

It looks like a violet ground beetle a very common beetle. The larvae are also carnivorous and actively hunt slugs, worms and other insects.

[ceres]

Thanks hippydave!  Very pretty, never seen one before.

[hippydave]

its a good beetle to have on the plot as they eat slugs they dont fly but are quite fast runners and usualy hide under things during the day and feed at night.

[ceres]

Yippee - a slug predator!  Yes, it was under a seed tray in the wild area under my apple tree, and it sure can run fast!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Violet ground beetle for sure.

[ceres]

Thanks Robert.  I had quite an insect-y day today between the beetle, maggots and ants and a fab red admiral that sat on my rubbish bag, but not for long enough for me to get the camera!

[Old bird]

What a pretty posh beetle!  I haven't seen one of those before!

Old Bird

;D