Meet Violet. She eats slugs for a living. Not just any old beetle.
To top it all, she has the most amazing colourful sheen that only reveals itself if you look closely. She is a Violet Ground beetle.
Fortunately, Violet is not an uncommon beetle in the UK. Some of her kin could easily be living in your garden already, chomping their way through your slugs and other garden pests. They start young. Devouring pests even in their larvae state.
How often do we look? How often do we lump black ground beetles into the same category?
Violet’s an easy garden guest. She’ll find her own food. Nothing special. She likes to rest under leaf cover, stones and logs. Also happy to sign-in to conveniently positioned bug hotels, if provided. So if you would like one, like her, to move into your garden, you know what to do.
Joining in #30DaysWild with the Wildlife Trust
We need an army of slug slayers in our garden, especially beautiful violet ones #MySundayPhoto
Nature has a way of balancing it all up, given half a chance, so maybe the army is one its way.
Soo it looks a bit freaky, the the detail
Thank you for linking up
I’m sure you are not alone in finding her a little unusual, but she is one of the good guys.
Hello Violet, she looks really rather lovely close up like this #MySundayPhoto
She has an amazing structure.
Hi Violet; you may be common, but you indeed beautiful! Such a great capture!
Thanks Jade.
Hi Cheryl, what a lovely looking beetle, she looks like she’s been dunked in oil! I love the fact you’ve managed to capture what seems to be her antennas vibrating! I’d much rather have beetles like her getting rid of unwanted visitors than use chemicals. I’ve noticed lizards hanging around my veggie patch and hope they are doing their thing too.
xx
You are so right. It does look like it’s come in contact with oil, but it is natural I promise.And I’m with you about opting for chemicals. I’d rather encourage the beetles. I love the idea of lizards hanging around your veg patch.
Violet is very pretty! I had no idea they ate slugs. I’ve become rather a fan of beetles having found two beautiful ones recently (actually they are planned as my next Sunday photo).
I shall look forward to seeing your beetles. I’m a fan of beetles too – if you hadn’t guessed! 😀
I think she is rather beautiful!
I do too. The colours are eye catching.
Fab macro shot. Don’t know if we have violet here in Florida, but I don’t think I have slugs either. Great to have friendly bugs eating other bugs in the garden. #MMBC
I’m still getting over the fact that you don’t have slugs! Ah yes, nature always does find a balance.
I think I love Violet…but there again I would love anything that eats my slugs and snails.
Fantastic macro… I’ll never look at a beetle the same again. Thanks for visiting my place and for sharing Violet. Tell her if she ever needs a vacation our place has a well stocked pantry!
Oh my goodness, look at the detail. It is beautiful but also it gives me the willies X #mysundayphoto
Oh my goodness….That looks huge. It is beautiful but I am really not keen on things like this. x
#MMBC
What a beaut! It’s amazing what a colourful world of mini beasts we have lurking in our gardens. It’s just a shame that we have to endure the less beautiful slugs as well. #mmbc
Violet is brilliant- anything that eats slugs is very very welcome in my garden. Will make sure she has some suitable accommodation! Thanks for the tips!
Absolutely stunning! We often see beetles like this around the New Forest, I wish they’d visit my garden!
I need him in my life! We usually have the green beetle here. I havent seen a violet one and they always look amazing! #mysundayphoto