Meloidae(Oil beetle) key info,please

[Jason Claxton]

I saw my first Meloe sp. of the year today!,I've heard of there being a Meloe key out there somewhere ,I can find plenty of photos but no key,is it available off of the web does anyone know and if so can you please let me know where.


Thanks Jason

[oxycera]

The pronotum on M. violaceus has a small kink (depression) at the base while that of M. proscarabaeus does not.

There is an excellent article on identifying oil beetles in British Wildlife, Vol 14 No.1.

[Jason Claxton]

Thanks John

I also asked on Beetles-british Isles.The very same British Wildlife paper came up again.But with additional advice(for which I'm really greatful,I hope he doesn't mind me quoting it here ,it will save him some typing at least and help anyone else following this thread.


The Ramsay paper in BW is a useful background for a range of species which occur(occured) in the U.K,but will not allow you to separate M.proscarabeus and M.violaceus with any confidence.
Ramsay produced a recent paper on the separation of these in The Coleopterist Vol18(1) based on features in an earlier Italian work by Bologna(1991)The text is very helpful in the separation of these two species,but unfortunately the text figures 1a and 2a are inaccurate(In 1a ,the pronotal base should be curved and in 2a it should be straight).You should be able to purchase it.

Cheers Jason.

[oxycera]

Ah yes, I have that article but had forgotten about it.
Thanks for that.