Coleoptera of note found in the Kidderminster area 2010-2013

Alan Brown.

In truth, for various reasons I was unable to conduct a proper survey in 2013 for notable beetle species and the time I did spend looking was mainly to try and find additional sites for the ant-associate hister beetle Haeterius ferrugineus. However, I did have enough material put by of species which for one reason or another didn’t appear in my previous articles. Some of these species are really good finds, whilst others are more widespread and some are county first records.

All these species were found at night with a headband torch and, unless stated, most were found to be active after dark on the surface of bark or on the ground. The smaller species are generally easier to spot when they are moving and much information regarding behaviour was also observed, making this ongoing survey a real bonus.

Curculio betulae: Curculionidae: Notable B: 6.8.2012. One of the catkin weevils this species is supposed to be a specialist of Birch catkins, but despite a thorough search I was unable to find it on this so I switched my search to Alder seed cones and found two almost immediately on trees at Puxton Marsh.

Platycis minutus: Lycidae: Notable B: 1.10.2012. A net-winged beetle. This is a diurnal species which seems to be spreading rapidly. Recently found at the Wyre Forest. This one was found inactive on a log in a very shaded area of wet-woodland at the Spennells Valley Nature Reserve (NR).

Tetratoma desmarestii: Tetratomidae: Notable B: 4.11.2012. A nocturnal fungus beetle and another winter active species. I found these on decaying oak branches infested with the Crust Fungus, Peniophora quercina in woodland at Springfield Park.

Melasis buprestoides: Eucnemidae: Notable B: 4.6.2012. A false click-beetle. I would usually find these literally boring their way into decaying Oak branches at the Devils Spittleful Nature Reserve, and on decaying Birch boughs at Hurcott Wood.

Epiphanus cornutus: Eucnemidae: local. A False Click-beetle and an accidental introduction which is rapidly increasing its range. Found on various decaying wood. I found this one on a decaying Beech log at Hurcott Wood.

Melandrya caraboides: Melandryidae: Notable B: 30.5.2012. A Darkling Beetle which is a diurnal species that develops in decaying wood. I found this one inactive at night on a decaying log infested with fungus in an open area of Springfield Park.

Arhopalus ferus: Cerambycidae: local: 28.6.2012. The Burnt Pine Longhorn. An introduced species which is nocturnal and extremely scarce in the Midlands. I was lucky to find this one investigating a dead-standing Pine tree in Hurcott Wood.

Poecilium alni: Cerambycidae: Notable B: 26.5.2012. The White-banded Longhorn. A rapidly spreading Longhorn beetle linked to decaying wood. I found this usually diurnal species on a large Oak stump at the Devils Spittleful NR. Length 6mm.

Saperda populnea: Cerambycidae: local: 15.5.2011. Small Poplar Borer. A local Longhorn beetle. I found this species on small Aspen saplings growing on grassland at the Devils Spittleful NR. Length:15mm.

Anaglyptus mysticus: Cerambycidae: Notable B: 19.5.2011. The Rufous-shouldered Longhorn beetle. I found this species hiding in a fissure on a Sycamore bough and also on a decaying Hawthorn trunk at Springfield Park. Length:10mm.

Phymatodes testaceus: Cerambycidae: local: 2.6.2011. Tanbark Borer. A nocturnal species, this is the orange colour variation for this species. I usually found this species investigating decaying Oak trunks and on a log-pile at Springfield Park . Length:18mm.

Platyrhinus resinosus: Anthribidae: Notable B: 2.6.2011. A fungus weevil. I came across a number of these linked to cramp-ball fungus on decaying beech logs, but also on a decaying ash stump with Dryads Saddle fungus in open parkland at Springfield Park.

Notaris scirpii: Curculionidae: Notable B: 6.4.2010. A herb-feeding weevil. I found a number of this Marshland species on Reed Sweet-grass and various other plants alongside Puxton Marsh.

Thanatophilus sinuatus: Silphidae: local : 1.10.2011. A seldom seen carrion beetle. I found a single specimen active at night on a dead pigeon alongside the Devils Spittleful NR.

Aphodius distinctus: Scarabaeidae: Notable B: 18.4.2011. A local dung beetle that seems to be doing well in my area. Linked to rabbit dung, I found this one on sandy heathland at the Devils Spittleful NR, but also on sandy, arable fields.

Aphodius zenkeri: Scarabaeidae: Notable B: 21.6.2011. A scarce dung beetle linked to deer dung. This species may be benefitting from the spread of the Muntjac Deer. I found this one on a pathway in Hurcott Wood and also saw another on the Devils Spittleful NR.

Aphodius ictericus: Scarabaeidae: Local: 22.4.2011. A local dung beetle. I found this one close to horse dung on open heathland at the Devils Spittleful NR.

Plegaderus vulneratus: Histeridae: scarce: 22.4.2010. A small hister beetle. A naturalised introduction, this species is thought to be predatory. Up to now it has been restricted to the east and south-east of the country. I found this species investigating beetle galleries on Pine. Species identified by Paul Whitehead. Length: 2mm

Plegaderus dissectus: Histeridae: Notable B: 28.6.2011. A small hister beetle usually linked to decaying deciduous trees. I found this species usually on damp, decaying birch stumps at the Devils Spittleful NR and at Hurcott Wood. Length: 2mm

Philonthus scitus: Staphylionidae: Notable B: 22.5.2012. A rove beetle linked to decaying wood situations. Found this predatory species on a decaying Oak tree at Springfield Park, but I’ve also seen it on a hollow Birch trunk at the Devils Spittleful NR.

Deleaster dichrous: Staphylionidae: Notable B: 12.8.2010. A predatory rove beetle found during my ground beetle survey. I found these alongside the River Severn in Bewdley on damp clay or sandy river margins, usually under grasses.

Orchesia micans: Melandryidae: local: 1.10.2012. A false darkling beetle that is usually in shaded woodland localities. I found a number of these active on a dead-standing Alder tree with fungus at the Spennells Valley NR in wet-woodland.

Orchesia minor: Melandryidae: Notable B: 6.7.2013. An uncommon false darkling beetle. I found this species in shaded woodland investigating a decaying Beech log with fungus at Hurcott Wood. Identification confirmed by Paul Whitehead. (No picture).

Hylastes ater: Scolytidae: local: 28.4.2013. A bark beetle linked to pine trees. I found a number of these actively investigating a decaying pine high-stump in a section of pine woodland at Hurcott Wood. Identification confirmed by Paul Whitehead. (No picture)

Hylastes opacus: Scolytidae: local : 28.4.2013. A bark beetle linked to various decaying wood situations. I found this one investigating some decaying bark on a Beech trunk near a section of pine woodland at Hurcott Wood. Identification confirmed by Paul Whitehead.

Variimorda villosa: Mordellidae: Notable B: 9.7.2012. A tumbling flower beetle. The adults feed on pollen but the larvae are predatory, feeding on bark beetle larvae in decaying wood. I found this adult on a decaying Sycamore tree, inactive at night. Hurcott Wood.

Ischnomera cyanea: Oedemeridae: Notable B: 27.5.2012. A handsome beetle usually found on flowers but like this one can also be found on bark beetle galleries laying its eggs. The larvae are predatory feeding on various bark beetle larvae. Found on a decaying Holly trunk. Spennells Valley NR.

Margarinotus purpurescens: Histeriidae: local: 15.5.2012. A hister beetle that is linked to mammal dung and decaying vegetable matter. It also seems to like dry, sandy areas around Kidderminster. I found this one on a sandy roadside verge.

HEMIPTERA

Empicoris vagabundus: Reduviidae : local: 1.10.2012. A Thread-legged Assassin bug. This is the most widespread and largest species, but surprisingly difficult to find. I have seen three of this predatory species to date, all were found in patches of woodland, two on Birch trunks and one on a Sycamore tree. Length: 7mm