Is this a Violet Oil Beetle?

[YellowBelle]

I found him/her walking along my garden stones - I keep reading mixed reports on the web if it's a rarity or not & if it is, should I report it? And to whom?








Or are they common as muck? But definitely a looker!

[McCruiskeen]

That certainly looks like Meloe violaceous. Lovely detail on the close-up!

[Jim Ford]

Handsome creature. I've never seen one. What part of the country did you see it?

Jim

[Rossco]

Nice find. Certainly looks like a male violet oil beetle. Their conservation category is Notable B, which means the creature in question has been recorded from between 31 and 100 10 km squares, so they're definitely not common. It's probably best to send this record to you county recorder for beetles. What county are you in?

[YellowBelle]

I'm in North Devon & that's the first one I've ever seen. I've sent an email to the Devon Wildlife Trust to their record office, which is in fact based in Exeter library & am going there tomorrow & the beetle photos are still on my camera, so if I can, I might drop by

Thanks for the help & info everyone!

[Andrew_Buglife]

Hi YellowBelle

I am collating oil beetle records as part of a conservation project, would you be able to send me details of the record (location, date, etc.) and your photos?

Many thanks
Andrew