Any hope of ID for dead beetle?

[Dillybythesea]

This was on the path, and such an iridescent black, and smart red legs, I'm wondering what was it. Is it poss to say? Sizewise it was larger than even a harlequin ladybird, but not hugely more - say 10-12mm? (I need to carry a ruler!)

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Dill,

I'd put forward the suggestion of Chrysomelidae. It could be Chrysolina bankii or close.

Take care,

Jason

[Dogghound]

Looks like chrysolina banksii

[Dillybythesea]

Many thanks Jason and Dogghound. I can see that that looks exactly right. Aren't you clever! And while looking to see how they are when alive I came across this...

Coleoptera > Chrysomelidae > Chrysolina banksii (C. banksii) - No Common Name [A seed, leaf or flea beetle]

Here's Why:
Rounded
'Dimpled' bodyshell
Red legs
General 'jist'

... from a particularly kind and helpful source!

ATB, Dill

[Paul mabbott]

Answering your broader question; in contrast to most insects, dead beetles are often easy to identify because they don't disintegrate in the way that other insects do. Their legs often stay attached and their chitinous parts do not rot in most circumstances.
Indeed, there are those who spend their time identifying beetle remains from deposits an Ice Age or two old!

[Dillybythesea]

It's an interesting point, and led me to wondering how birds manage to digest them, which led to reading this account -
Digestive Physiology of Birds
amongst others - and this is how the day disappears!