Effects of alternative and specialised diet on development and survival of larvae and pupae in Carabus (Chaetocarabus) lefebvrei (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 species are polyphagous and prey on every kind of food (earthworms, snails, caterpillars and fruit). Some macromorphological differentiations within the genus are often interpretated as related to specialised modes of nutrition. This study examined, in laboratory rearing conditions, larval development and survival under different diets (meat, earthworm, snail and fruit) for Carabus lefebvrei Dejean, 1826. The survival of animals varied significantly with diet. Our results on the survival and duration of development during laboratory rearing revealed that the pre-imaginal development of C. lefebvrei was influenced differently by various diets. The pure-snail diet was essential for fast larval development and adult survival, while the meat and mixed diets were unsuitable for proper development and survival.