Can anyone help to identify this beetle?

[bugseryboo]

I just found a dead black beetle; it had crawled/fallen into a candle holder that was stored in the loft and probably couldn't climb out... I've tried to identify it but need some help!

It's all black on the top, about the size of the the "search-button" on the top righ hand corner of the screen but perhaps a little wider. Its body is made up of 3 main parts; one small head with curved tentacles, a slightly bigger round-ish middle body and a long-shaped rest of the body which has fine little lines. If you turn him upside down you see that his underbody is brown and has fairly chunky legs. I looked at some images of beetles and think it looks quite a lot like a (varied) carpet beetle but I didn't think they get this big?
Thanks!!

[Wild-Woman]

Hi and welcome. Without a picture, even with, beetles can be hard to identify to species level. If you still have the specimen, are you able to get a shot of it to upload?

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Hi and welcome. Without a picture, even with, beetles can be hard to identify to species level. If you still have the specimen, are you able to get a shot of it to upload?

For those without a camera, I should note that dead insects often come out quite well from a photocopied shot ...
The mention of lines (striations) and no mention of hairs suggests a ground beetle (Carabidae) perhaps?

[bugseryboo]

Good idea! I'll get on to it..

[bugseryboo]

I hope this helps?

[Wild-Woman]

Over to you Mr Mabbott our main beetle man.

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi,

this is Tenebrio molitor. I guess it is called "mealworm beetle" in english. There are two more possible species in central Europe (I don't know if in GB too), but those look different.

Regards
Klaas

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Klaas Reißmann

Hi,

this is Tenebrio molitor. I guess it is called "mealworm beetle" in english. There are two more possible species in central Europe (I don't know if in GB too), but those look different.

Mr Mabbott now demoted to 'Beetle man number 2'!

;^)


Jim

[bugseryboo]

Originally Posted by Klaas Reißmann

Hi,

this is Tenebrio molitor. I guess it is called "mealworm beetle" in english. There are two more possible species in central Europe (I don't know if in GB too), but those look different.

Regards
Klaas

That's very helpful Klaas, many thanks. That is definetely the one! As far as I can tell it does not seem to be (much of) a pest?

I have a big garden and insects seem to love my house; I have many ladybirds which I don't mind so much but the occasional unwelcoming slug enters my house to eat the cat food and they leave their trails all over the walls and even the dartboard! In other words, I hope this little beetle is not out to be such a pain! (well, this one is no longer with us, but you know what I mean)

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi,

Mr Mabbott now demoted to 'Beetle man number 2'!

I know, this is more ment as a joke, but in the past Mr. Mabbot demonstrated the quality of his knowledge which is more than mine (in my mind). No one is without failing, even in this hobby which is hiding a tremendous number of failure even for the best. But for this Mr. Mabbot fails quite seldom (I hope I found the right words not to offend anyone).

@ bugseryboo

Tenebrio molitor is the most known pest in corn and flour, but in contradiction to the past it seems to be much more less important today, even in comparison with other species. It is the first time I heard about T. molitor feeding on cat food and possibly it can be a problem in your case. I would suggest to litter the cat food, by new one and keep it in a box or bag you can close propperly.

Regards
Klaas