Click beetle, Melanotus sp.?

Gerel · #1 (**permalink**) 13-07-2011, 06:36 PM

Hi all.

This was quite large for a click beetle at 17mm long. I found it under bark on a dead tree. My best guess from Joy's key is a Melanotus sp. can anyone confirm, refute or, ideally, go to species level (I don't ask for much

)

cheers

Steve

ETA the picture is a bit overexposed, it was blacker in RL

Matt Smith · #2 (**permalink**) 14-07-2011, 10:47 AM

Looks like a Melanotus - species level needs a look at the genetalia as the single species in Joy has now been found to be 2 species.

Klaas Reißmann · #3 (**permalink**) 14-07-2011, 10:02 PM

Do you have a photo taken from lateral or ventral?

Regards
Klaas

Gerel · #4 (**permalink**) 17-07-2011, 11:45 AM

Thanks for your replies.

I think this is one time that I really should have tried to keep the specimen.

As far as I tell there are three recognised UK species of Melanotus, M. villosus, M. puntolineatus and M. castanipes.

M. villosus is fairly common and widespread, the other two are both extremely uncommon and have a very localised distribution. If this were anything other than M. villosus it would be an extremely unusual record.

Unfortunately I only got dorsal shots.

I tried magnifying a shot of a leg (the description I have of M. villosus says black legs with brown tarsi) but it is not very conclusive.

I think this one is going to annoy me

Steve

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 17-07-2011, 07:12 PM

Afternoon Steve,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerel

Thanks for your replies.

I think this is one time that I really should have tried to keep the specimen.

Hmmm... I think you should get pins, a box, a microscope and any identification literature before you collect, just so you do things 'properly' from the outset. As for critically-confirming a find you have reason to think is important, then chances are if it's the first specimen you physically handle then the chances are that you'll either damage it through inexperience or will lack such to make a definitive decision. The impetus in my post is to just get a level of experience first, just so you know what you're doing when you get the good 'uns!

Right, I'm going to butt-out here as I know nothing about these really - just have five specimens I need to do something about this winter... right then, as you were!

Take care,

Jason