ABSTRACT
Family CARABIDAE (ground beetles) A large family of small to large, mainly ground-dwelling beetles; adults mainly black, but many with a metallic blue, green or coppery lustre; pronotum shield-like; elytra fused and usually each with nine longitudinal ridges (intervals), separated by distinct furrows (striae) or a series of punctures; antennae 11-segmented and filiform, and clearly inserted at the sides of the head, between the eyes and the mandibles.
