Description
Calosoma schayeri, commonly known as the Green Carab Beetle, belongs to the small genus Calosoma within the enormous Carabidae family — which boasts over 2,500 species in Australia alone.
This handsome beetle is a striking metallic green with elegant, sweeping body curves and long, powerful legs built for speed. It is found across almost all of Australia, with the notable exception of the far northern tropics. While usually a welcome visitor in gardens, it can occasionally become a nuisance when large numbers are drawn to bright outdoor lights at night.
Despite these occasional mass invasions, the Green Carab Beetle is highly beneficial. Both as larvae and adults, they are voracious predators of pest caterpillars and grubs — hunting them both above and below the ground.
Measuring 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) in length, it possesses a formidable pair of mandibles capable of quickly dispatching prey. However, its most effective defence is far more memorable: when threatened, it can squirt a foul-smelling defensive fluid from its rear end. So if you’re admiring one up close and it suddenly raises its backside in your direction… it’s probably wise to step back!
These beetles are primarily nocturnal and are most often spotted when they come fluttering in to porch lights or windows after dark.
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