 |
| Aphodius sphacelatus |
Belted beauty moth 8/4/11 Ardnave dunes NR734296
Silpha atrata 9/4/11 Gruinart grassy area behind RSPB office NR676276
Oiceoptoma thoracica 17/4/11 Heathery slope above Aonan nan Uan NR763426
Adder 17/4/11 In dry grass near Bagh an Da Dhorius NR787409
Aphodius sphacelatus 11/4/11 100s in sheep dung in fields NR6940
Geotrupes stercorarius 5/4/11 Glenastle valley, amongst heather NR455286
Thanks Crystal
It's fantastic to have someone on the island who knows their beetles! It's 30 years since anyone studied beetles here so there's masses to learn.
ReplyDeleteSome English names for those who need them - like me!
Silpha atrata is the Black Snail Beetle
Oeceoptoma thoracica is the Carrion Beetle
Aphodius sphacelatus is one of several species of dung beetle
Geotrupes stercorarius is the Dor Beetle
Hi it's Crystal, I'm afraid I got terribly confused with my grid references that day! Here are the correct locations:
ReplyDeleteBelted beauty moth NR294736
Black snail beetle NR276676
Red breasted carrion beetle NR423766
Adder NR407789
Aphodius dung beetle NR3968
Common dor beetle NR286455
Really sorry about that! Won't happen again.
Crystal
p.s. on a mission to find a different dor beetle for you all, has a bit of a greenish sheen compared to the beautiful purple of the common one, (from the few I've found anyway) so will let you know when I do (also has a different hair pattern and number of leg ridges).
Also, look out for those amazing oil beetles while you're out and about! Follow the link to find out more
http://www.buglife.org.uk/getinvolved/surveys/Oil+Beetle+Hunt/The+Oil+Beetle+Hunt+-+Get+ready.htm