Although their body shapes and coloring vary somewhat, most are shiny black or metallic and have ridged wing covers (elytra).
The elytra are fused in some species, particularly the large Carabinae, rendering the beetles unable to fly.
The genus Mormolyce is known as violin beetles due to their peculiarly shaped elytra.
All carabids except the quite primitive flanged bombardier beetles (Paussinae) have a groove on their fore leg tibiae bearing a comb of hairs used for cleaning their antennae.
Although their body shapes and coloring vary somewhat, most are shiny black or metallic and have ridged wing covers (elytra). The elytra are fused in some species, particularly the large Carabinae, rendering the beetles unable to fly. The genus Mormolyce is known as violin beetles due to their peculiarly shaped elytra. All carabids except the quite primitive flanged bombardier beetles (Paussinae) have a groove on their fore leg tibiae bearing a comb of hairs used for cleaning their antennae.
Ground beetle