European Ground Beetle
Beetle in the Thistle fluff.
On a beach not too far from the Quimper Hitty Cupboard Rose finds a new friend.
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Lap Beetle.
It seems to be a European Ground Beetle Carabus nemoralis, thought to have been imported accidentally by ships using topsoil as ballast. Rose loves its iridescent carapace, but doesn’t think it would make a good pet.
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Lap Cat.
Quimper Hittys 
Carabus’ cavorts capture cat’s cautious calculations.
Fortunately the cat and the beetle did not meet whisker to antennae!
I expect the beetle is relieved as well, unless the Hittys have a patch of dirt in the house that it can call home.
No indeed, no dirt in the Hitty Cupboard. Beetle is well out of it.
What a relief to hear that their abode is a cupboard, rather than something more akin to a terrarium, which could get too damp and moldy for the likes of Rose and her sisters.
I’m sure that in the first frame Rose’s eyebrows are raised in amazement! Does the foreign beetle cause problems with the native plants or insects?
Rose was surprised at the beetle’s tickley legs. I believe C. nemoralis arrived over a hundred years ago, before scientists were paying attention to environmental impact of introduced species. In North America they are most common near the ports on the east and west coasts.
What a wonderful find for Rose. All of the girls have such inquisitive spirits. I love to see their adventures.
Glad to see the cat is pleased.
They love having adventures and their inquisitiveness leads them into learning things… the cat is glad when they all come home safe, and provide laps to sit on.
A very interesting beetle …… but looks like Rose prefers having little kitty on her lap……
Yes cats are much softer and warmer.
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