Carabus smaragdinus
This nocturnal ground beetle preys on earthworms across the forests of Korea, China and the Russian Far East, its elytra gleaming metallic green or coppery depending on the population.
| Where | Forest floor in Korea, China, Russia |
|---|---|
| Size | 30 to 45 mm body length |
| When | April to October |
A slender, metallic beetle with elytra that range from bright green to reddish copper depending on the population, each wing case crossed by rows of small raised bumps. The legs and underside are usually darker and less glossy than the domed back.
Adults hunt after dark on the forest floor, taking earthworms and other soft bodied invertebrates, and are active from spring into autumn across their range in Korea, northeastern China and the Russian Far East.
Traits
Habitat
Woodland
Colour
Green, Metallic
Active
Night
To people
Not known to bite or sting; rarely seen away from forest leaf litter after dark.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
A related Far Eastern ground beetle of similar build, usually showing blue or purple tinted margins on the elytra rather than the more uniform green or coppery sheen of this species.
Questions
Is Carabus smaragdinus dangerous to people?
Not known to bite or sting; rarely seen away from forest leaf litter after dark.
When can you see Carabus smaragdinus?
Carabus smaragdinus can be seen from April to October, at night.
Plate retouched from a photo by Евгений Рыбальченко, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist Licence
Report a mistake in this entry
Beetles›Ground beetles›Carabus
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.