The Lexicon of Beetles of the Czech Republic

Nebria (Nebria) brevicollis (Fabricius, 1792)

Family: Carabidae

Size 10 - 14 mm. Shiny pitch black to brown. Lateral part of prothorax, epipleura, last segment of rump and appendages are brownish-red to red. The groove of the lateral margin of protonum is wide. Basal segments of hind feet are hairy on top, palps are red. Elytra are longitudinally grooved, with small pits in the grooves.

Adults from the end of March to October. They are most active from June to August, while in July and August they undergo a so-called summer diapause for 5 - 6 weeks, in which development is suspended. After this diapause, they reappear in September and October, mate and females lay eggs. Inhabits forests, meadows or parks from lowlands to hills. Prefers deciduous forests, where they seek out wetter habitats.

Adults are active at night. They mainly seek out springtails, earthworms, mites, spiders and various Diptera as food. They do not disdain even smaller snails, but prefer already dead individuals that cannot defend themselves due to increased mucus production.

Picture source: main: Bleich