Blurry insect for id please

[vaughnie]

Apologies for the quality of the photo-it was moving too fast for me..

I'm not sure what it is-colourful rove beetle? wingless wasp (unlikely I guess, as there doesn't appear to be a wasp-waist). I can't find anything that resembles it in my insect book either.

I'm sure someone out there will know though. Over to you:



Thanks in advance,
Vaughn

[Dogghound]

This is a Staphylinid. Either Platydracus or Staphylinus . The overall look of it suggests Staphylinus (i.e pronotum shape, size). However to take it to species you need to see some finer details. Its most likely either S.erythropterus or S.caesareus.

[vaughnie]

Excellent, thank you-knew I'd get a quick response. Quite an attractive beast isn't it?

[Dogghound]

Yes they are very handsome beetles.