Small beetle ID

[Lord V]

Spotted this rather cute looking beetle wandering around on my car roof yesterday - not seen this species before- about 3mm body length - any ideas ?

Brian v.

[JRsbugs]

Hi Brian,

It looks similar to one I found inside last year, squashed but was ~2mm.

Look at Cryptophagus in Cryptophagidae.

I'm not sure of course, but it looks good to me.

Janet

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi everybody,

the antennae tells it is a Coccinellidae, a Lady-bird. By all I can see it is genus Rhyzobius and I guess R. chrysomeloides.

Regards
Klaas

[JRsbugs]

Hmm, I wonder if mine was a Ladybird too! I had wondered.. maybe I should put mine up for ID even though it's a little squashed, I have a clear pic showing an antenna!

[Lord V]

Thanks for the ID - wouldn't have guessed on a ladybird !
Brian v.

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, Rhyzobius sp, most likely R. litura - you'll not get it to species from a photo. This is a very common species but not commonly reported, partly because it's so small, partly because people don't take it for a coccinellid and partly because it tends to stay hidden away. Where had your car been?

[Lord V]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Yes, Rhyzobius sp, most likely R. litura - you'll not get it to species from a photo. This is a very common species but not commonly reported, partly because it's so small, partly because people don't take it for a coccinellid and partly because it tends to stay hidden away. Where had your car been?

Thanks
Car was parked in the drive but it is next to a grapevine on the house wall. Depending on the wind direction I also often get bugs blown from the trees in the road.
Brian v.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Lord V

Thanks
Car was parked in the drive but it is next to a grapevine on the house wall. Depending on the wind direction I also often get bugs blown from the trees in the road.
Brian v.

Sounds interesting; Rhyzobius are commonly found under the 'roots' and stems of ivy so the vine might provide a similar habitat? Could be interesting to have a rummage about in there if you have the time. When you find one, you often find a lot!

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi Paul,

sorry for the disagreement, but in my mind this is more R. chrysomeloides than R. litura. Both species are very variable, but R. litura is extremly seldom found with such a broad, dark painting.

If Brian has got a picture of the beetle taken from above you can make very sure, because the habit of C. chrysomeloides is noticeable wider than of C. litura. You can't see very well by this photo, but in my mind it seems to be so.

Regards
Klaas

[Lord V]

Thanks again for the discussion - Klass the only other picture I have is a very similar angle but just clamped down more. From my visual observations of the beetle through the lens, the coloured patches were actually very feint. Without the lens it just looked plain brown to the eye.
Brian v.