Pack Hunters

[Sinkt]

Is anybody else observing that Carabid beetles seem to float around in gangs ranging from 2 upwards?

I rarely find them on their own. They also seem to gather in the slug traps without actually feeding on them ... unless when I get there there isn't anything left!

 

[Yapter]

In the beetle traps I find anything from 0 upto double figures but 3-6 would be typical. Under slug traps I very infrequently find only the odd 1

 

[skye @ bofin]

What an interesting observation! @Tewoll and @Seralt I wonder if you know whether this is a usual thing and whether there is a reason behind this? I wonder what impact this has...

 

[Repwal]

Please note, although responding as "@Repwal", I am also @Seralt, somehow I have two accounts so will answer to both names! I am not certain why the Carabids are turning up in numbers in beetle traps, but it may be a response to slug density in local areas. Has anybody noticed if the beetle traps in which higher beetle numbers occur are close to slug traps with good catches?