Beetle ID help please

[pammosley]

Hi Folks, I`ve been trying to find this beetle. I think he is a Carrion Beetle. The closest I can get is Phosphuga Atrata but he seems the wrong colour
Any help gratefully received

[Anzu]

Hiya Pammosley,

You are probably right with Phosphuga Atrata, brown versions do seem to turn up. It does appear to have the narrow head for eating snails with too.

Phosphuga (= Silpha) atrata - Wildlife Photography

Take a look at the conversation below this picture

[Fauna]

Certainly looks to be Phosphuga [Silpha] atrata...Silpha atrata. They can be found in this colour form. The elongate head and mandibles are adapted for eating snails.


Regards Chris...

[Fauna]

Originally Posted by Anzu

Hiya Pammosley,

You are probably right with Phosphuga Atrata, brown versions do seem to turn up. It does appear to have the narrow head for eating snails with too.

Phosphuga (= Silpha) atrata - Wildlife Photography

Take a look at the conversation below this picture

Snap

[Klaas Reißmann]

Phosphuga atrata is right. In (nearly) every population are some of the brown variations called var. brunnea, but it differs from population to population. In some they are very seldom in others they are nealy 50% of the total individuals.

Regards
Klaas

[pammosley]

That`s great folks, thankyou all for having a look, very informative posts