Carabus violaceus purpurascens or Megodontus violaceus purpurascens is considered by some authors (Rautenstrauch) as a separate species, 'Megondontus purpurascens', which occurs in the Western part of Europe. In Turin et al., 'purpurascens' is considered as a subspecies of Megodontus violaceus or Carabus violaceus.

The species on the images was found in alpine grasslands at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea-level at de Col du Portalet in the Pyrénées. The species belongs to Carabus pupurascens natio fulgens, according to Forel and Leplat.