Minotaur beetles -Typhaeus typhoeus ?

[ashgale]

spotted several of these very striking and colourful, large beetles around in grass on sany soil, although the pics do not show the bright blue colouring at its best,
are they Minotaur beetles -Typhaeus typhoeus ?

they seem to be lacking the "horns" that most of the pics seem to depict,
could these be the females, or do they also have the "horns" ?







thanks,
ashgale.

[Matt Smith]

Female Minotaur beetles lack the horns, just have a few bumps. I don't think your beetles are this species, but the photos aren't detailed enough for a good look. If you posted the full hi res image then we might be able to see more.

[ashgale]

thanks, here is a crop from the original pic, hope this is more detailed,



ashgale.

[ladyhawk]

Looks like a Dor beetle Geotrupes stercorarius.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by ladyhawk

Looks like a Dor beetle Geotrupes stercorarius.

Or at least one of that group, not a Minotaur.

[ashgale]

many thanks to you both,
done a bit more searching on your suggestions and it does look to be Geotrupes sp,
(at least to my inexperienced eyes )

ashgale

[Klaas Reißmann]

It's the very common Geotrupes (Anoplotrupes) stercorosus.

Regards
Klaas