Small scarabaeid beetle

[peterbolson]

Another one I caught flying over field near a river yesterday. 5mm long. I think it's Aphodius sp. but don't expect to get any further as there are so many of them. Could anyone confirm this much please. Thanks.

[Dogghound]

I agree Aphodius sp. these are a nightmare from photo's. It looks like sphacelatus which is hard to seperate from prodromus. Just hard to see the angles here. Im pretty sure its one of these two with sphacelatus more likely, as obliteratus & contaminatus have a groove at the basal end of the pronotum so can be ruled out (I carnt see it although couldnt see the green carabids head clearly in your other post ).

[peterbolson]

As always thanks for your help Dogghound. I still have it so is this another one I could check with the microscope ? If so what should I look for ?

[Dogghound]

See if the yellow extends along the back of the pronotum. Also look at the punctures on the elytra, on the outside edge look for two rows of these that are close together, the outside one (8th) should be about the same length in sphacelatus, and stops short of the length of the 7th in prodromus. Looking at your photo this looks again like sphacelatus.

Ive just noticed this has a suture (line) between the eyes which makes it Aphodius sphacelatus.

[peterbolson]

Thanks again Doggwood. That's wonderful - much more than I had hoped for.
Peter