Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Carabus auronitens

An extreme close-up portrait of an extremely colorful Carabus auronitens beetle. These beetles prey on snails and other soft-bodied insects, preferably during the night. They can be found in woods and on/near (dead)wood. With plenty of intense colors, that have a metallic, iridescent sheen to them, they are the gems of the world of beetles.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Essen, Germany
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Copyright: © Christian Brockes