Carabus; Print; Carabus is a genus of beetle in family Carabidae. The genus is highly diverse with 91 subgenera and more than 1000 recognised species and thus is the largest genus in the subfamily Carabinae. The vast majority are native to the Palearctic; but there are also 11 Nearctic species. Carabus are 12-50 mm (0.47-1.97 in) long; most species are wingless and often very colourful. These are nocturnal; predatory beetles that feed on snails; earthworms and caterpillars.