Mixed bag of Beetles for ID help please.

earthdragon64 · #1 (**permalink**) 24-06-2010, 12:18 PM

I seem to be seeing more Beetles recently whilst I'm out and about, some I can find an ID for quite easily, but the ones below are those I've not managed to ID.

Firstly, this one was caught in Glenfeshie, on the 5th of June in birch and pine woodland near the river Feshie, I like the feathery antennae.

This one was wandering across a plantation forest track just north of Aviemore on the 19th of June.

These two were on a small Aspen tree at Insh Marses RSPB reserve on the 20th of June.

Finally, this one was at Insh Marshes again on the 20th of June, in a mostly grassy area, the plant it is on is Pignut.

Any help to ID will be appreciated.

Regards, Audrey.

Fauna · #2 (**permalink**) 24-06-2010, 01:10 PM

The large black beetle is a Carabus sp, what i can make of it from the pic, it might be C. violaceus. Considering they used to be very common around my parts, i have only found one since i've started an interest in Carabids.

C. problematicus is another similar looking sp.

Take a look at this link, half way down it shows both sp. I'm not sure but i think the Carabus purpurascens is a subspecies of C. violaceus, which only occurs in the extreme south of England?.

Google Image Result for http://www.kerbtier.de/Pages/Themenseiten/Koerperbau/ElytrenFoto/Problematicus.jpg

Perhaps Paul or others will be better for this one

Paul mabbott · #3 (**permalink**) 24-06-2010, 02:25 PM

The first is a male Ctenicera cuprea (Elateridae).
I suppose the second must be a Carabus but the legs are very long - doesn't have the shape or markings for C. problematicus - needs more thought.
The third is, I think, Phratora vulgatissima (Chrysomelidae), the blue willow leaf beetle.
The fourth, of course, is a Cantharis but I don't have my key with me - later!