This big, stinky ground beetle apparently flew toward my UV lights, set up on the greasewood/mesquite/cactus incline below the jagged spires of the Organ Range. I say apparently because the wings were not fully tucked away yet. I found it on a headlamp stroll about three yards from my lights.

Specimen was given to and IDed from collection at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.

I found a surprising number of carabids in this desert area, including one other large species. Authors have written that dark*ling beetles largely take precedence over ground beetles in the West because they are more dehydration resistant. My guess is the carabids are most active during the short rainy season.