beetle in richmond park

[Ukwildlifeo]

found this beetle under a small log in richmond park, under a tree in a grassy area. About 1cm long and photo taken with a flash



Not really seen one like it before, any ideas on the species?

[Jason Green]

Evening UKW,

Beetles aren't my strong point, but I think it's a Ground Beetle, Carabidae family. It looks distinctive-enough to at least get to genus with that uniformly-rounded pronotum that apparently lacks any pitting.

Take care,

Jason

[oxycera]

maybe a tenebrionid?

[Rossco]

Definitely a tenebrionid and it looks like Nalassus laevioctostriatus. This species is variable in colour, ranging from brownish-red to completely black. There's a good website on UK tenebrionids here:

http://www.thewcg.org.uk/pages/Tenebrionidae.htm

[Jason Green]

Ah, a Tenebrionid. What are the clues here to this family - is the entirely curved pronotum as I pointed out as being distinctive, a good feature?

[oxycera]

The eye shape is the first thing that caught my attention, Jason.

[Jason Green]

Thanks John. The broad shape of the elytra and pronotum drew a parralel with Carabids for me. I must admit I didn't look too much at the face - but I suppose it's a 'holistic' process...

[Paul mabbott]

The larger tenebrionids (Tenebrioninae) often look like carabids because of the striated elytra and filiform antennae - and they live in similar places in woodland leaf-litter and deadwood.
As mentioned, the facial features are different: antennae inserted under the head in particular; commonly the eyes are on the side of the head, often split ....
Incidentally this used to be called Cylindrinotus (still is by some of us from time to time ) and it's the most common woodland/scrub tenebrionid in my experience.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Thanks