Carabid Beetle (Carabus faustus)

Endemic to Tenerife and found in the oldest parts of the island, where laurisilva laurel forests are preserved in near optimal ecological conditions. The subspecies C. faustus inhabits Anaga massif, Agua García (Tacoronte) and the remaining laurel forests of Barranco de Badajoz ravine (Güímar), while the apparently more common C. cabrerai is only found at Monte del Agua (Los Silos-Buenavista del Norte), in Teno massif. This large beetle (23-28 mm) has a long body and shiny smooth integuments that are an iridescent greenish-black with coppery or even purple tones. A carnivore, it feeds on worms, slugs and insect larvae.