Calathus melanocephalus

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Description

Length about 6 to 8 mm. It is usually black with a bright red thorax and pale legs.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

This ground beetle is usually found where there is bare, sandy soil.

When to see it

Best months are April to September

Life History

It lives during the day under stones and amongst leaf litter, coming out to hunt for small invertebrates at night.

UK Status

Common and widespread in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 68 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.

  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    22 November 2013
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    21 April 2010
  • AJ Cann
    Asfordby Hill
    03 January 2020
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    22 June 2013
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    03 March 2014

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
insect - beetle (Coleoptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Carabidae
Records on NatureSpot:
14
First record:
30/09/1987 (Derek Lott)
Last record:
03/01/2020 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

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Latest images

Latest records

  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    20 April 2011
  • Graham Calow
    Thomas Estley College Broughton Astley
    10 August 2012