Black beetle

JRsbugs · #1 (**permalink**) 20-07-2010, 09:37 PM

Hi,

Help! I haven't tried to ID this as I know how difficult they can be, and I'm drowing in pictures.

It was feasting on a dead moth in the early hours, I think around 10-12mm long

Janet

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 20-07-2010, 09:44 PM

It reminds me of the Pterostichus family but they are a varied and difficult family to identify to species so I will make way for a beetle specialist.

Fauna · #3 (**permalink**) 21-07-2010, 10:12 AM

This is a real tricky one, have you anymore photos. I cant make out if there is two setiferous puntures behind the eyes or one, and other features. Also, what was the habitat.

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 21-07-2010, 12:31 PM

Geoff, my sentiments too!

Fauna, I did have a couple more pics which I deleted, I think they were worse but I should have kept them just in case!

It was near my back door and the outside light is weak so I was shooting in near darkness. I think my attention diverted briefly to a moth, probably that Hawk moth which beats me up often but won't land for a pic! When I looked back it was gone so must have been a fast runner. I have lots of trees and leaf litter around, a big Horse Chestnut tree in my garden and Oaks nearby. The habitat is generally woodlands with sandy heathlands also.

I can see if I can do a bit of trickery on the pics!

kitscot · #5 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 11:25 AM

Hi!

It is a Carabidae (ground beetle) and I am fairly certain that is of the genus Amara. It is definitely not Pterostichus (and sorry to be pedantic but Pterostichus is a generic not a family name). Hope this helps.

Kit

JRsbugs · #6 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 11:41 AM

Hi Kit!

Thank you! It certainly is a help, I will see what I can find but if you can't say which species I doubt I can.

JRsbugs · #7 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 12:39 PM

I've looked at all closely resembling Amara species on this site

Amara lunicollis seems to match in all areas that I can see, although the pronotum on mine seems to rise upwards it does have a slight curve on the bottom corners, it could be the position it's in and the closest side in the back view does sit correctly.

Another good pic here.

In the side view of mine you can see the top edge of the pronotum curves upwards.

Jason Green · #8 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 02:50 PM

Afternoon Janet,

Good points to search for on these Amara spp. include the scutellar striations, and side punctures running along the bottom-side of the elytra where they meet the abdomen's top-edge. Elytral pores can be useful, too - as can the colour of the labial palps' tip. A lot of light is called for with these black ones - not that easy when these are so often active at night!

I wouldn't like to try going for species in this instance, often a really close examination of some of these key features are required. It's male, though.

Take care,

Jason

JRsbugs · #9 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

I wouldn't like to try going for species in this instance, often a really close examination of some of these key features are required. It's male, though.

Jason

Yes Jason, I looked at all those things except close examination of the striations on the elytra but considering all the other details, when comparing with other species, all looks to fit.

A more experienced eye might see it differently, the only thing which I was uncertain of was the depth of the pronotum where mine may be a little shorter, or it may not.

If you compare the other species side by side, you can see stark differences such as the shape of the head, this was the only one I saw which fitted.

But I'm not you Jason, and I did attempt an ID. I found this species is likely to inhabit wooded areas also.

Jason Green · #10 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

If you compare the other species side by side, you can see stark differences such as the shape of the head, this was the only one I saw which fitted.

But I'm not you Jason, and I did attempt an ID. I found this species is likely to inhabit wooded areas also.

The head-shape could be subjective, and differ in appearance due to angle. As far as I know this point isn't used in keys, but could be wrong.

Well done on getting to photograph it anyway - they always tend to run out of frame with me! Out of interest what time of the morning was this? Maybe I need to take a leaf out of your book and try it - they are semi-nocturnal, aren't they?