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Any help with ID for this beetle? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Deborah1
- Start date
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Black Oil Beetle I believe Meloe proscarabaeus.
Torchepot
Well-known member
Some useful info here
https://www.buglife.org.uk/sites/default/files/Buglife Oil Beetle guide.pdf
If you get the chance take a look at the junction of the abdomen and thorax where there can be a “tooth” which helps with identification. If you have any other photos you may be able to see it on them.
Possibly this is a good year for them as I saw one here last week.
Fascinating life-cycle. ��
https://www.buglife.org.uk/sites/default/files/Buglife Oil Beetle guide.pdf
If you get the chance take a look at the junction of the abdomen and thorax where there can be a “tooth” which helps with identification. If you have any other photos you may be able to see it on them.
Possibly this is a good year for them as I saw one here last week.
Fascinating life-cycle. ��
Thanks for the link. You’re right. The life-cycle is fascinating. I saw four more yesterday! I live very rurally and have put a fair amount of effort into planting to encourage bees/butterflies etc. Do you think it possible there is a correlation between increased bee populations and more numbers of beetles in my garden? Or, like you said, the beetles are just ‘having a good year’?
Torchepot
Well-known member
Great to hear someone trying to help insects - the situation is alarming and is likely to have far reaching consequences.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in_insect_populations
75% loss of insects in 26 years in Germany should be headline news!
It may be that Oil Beetles are having a good year - I came across another Black Oil Beetle yesterday. Most bizarrely it was surrounded by a swarm of tiny midges??
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in_insect_populations
75% loss of insects in 26 years in Germany should be headline news!
It may be that Oil Beetles are having a good year - I came across another Black Oil Beetle yesterday. Most bizarrely it was surrounded by a swarm of tiny midges??
Torchepot
Well-known member
Scrolling down through this article there’s a link to a paper about midges hassling oil beetles
http://thewildepisode.com/2018/11/20/violet-oil-beetle-the-hitchhiker-from-hell/
Apparently they’re feeding on the secretion Cantharidin which is used medically for treating warts!!
Weird Nature or what? :eek!:
http://thewildepisode.com/2018/11/20/violet-oil-beetle-the-hitchhiker-from-hell/
Apparently they’re feeding on the secretion Cantharidin which is used medically for treating warts!!
Weird Nature or what? :eek!:
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