Rove Beetle id?

[chrisjohnson]

This Rove Beetle was photographed on 25 April in our polytunnel -South Uist Outer Hebrides. At first I though it might be Othius punctulatus but now I think it might be Quedius sp.
I know this group is difficult to identify and probably impossible without a specimen, however, I would appreciate any comments. I'd also like any recommendations for the availability of id keys or guides for the Staphylinidae.

thank you

Chris

[kitscot]

Hi!

Personally, I believe it is a Quedius species. Certain aspects of the species in the photograph don't quite look correct for it to be Othius; the thorax looks more transverse than long, the antennae look too far apart and I am not seeing the abdominal pubescence, (but that might just be to the quality of the photograph, no insult intended).
One of the best books around at the moment regarding the Staphylinidae is Derek Lott's RES handbook Vol. 12 part 5. This covers some of the rove beetle sub-families, (Scaphidiinae, Piestinae and Oxytelinae) and I read that Derek Lott will be publishing another RES handbook in the near future covering further sub-families.
Norman Joy's British beetles is still useful up to a point as is C.E.Tottenham's RES book Vol 4 part 8a. Both of course are very difficult to come by and in Joy's case very expensive though there is a cd-rom version of both volumes of Joy's British Beetles for around £50.
Hope this helps and sorry I cannot give a more comprehensive id.

Regards

Kit

[chrisjohnson]

Thank you Kit.
I'll have another look at my photographs I've several more of this specimen.
I have also found Derek Lott's test key for the genus so I might at least be able to confirm the whether I'm in the right genus.
Next time I'll make sure the specimen doesn't escape.

Thank also for the advice on the RES Handbooks.

Christine