noun
- Plural of carabid; beetles of the family Carabidae, commonly known as ground beetles, characterized by long legs and predatory habits.
Usage: zoology; entomology
Examples
- Carabids are beneficial insects that help control pest populations in gardens and fields.
- Many carabids are nocturnal hunters that feed on slugs, snails, and other invertebrates.
- The researcher collected carabids using pitfall traps to study beetle diversity in the forest.
- Carabids are often used as indicators of soil health and ecosystem quality.
- Some carabids can spray a foul-smelling chemical when threatened.