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Can anyone ID this beetle?

famoussheamus · 2014-08-09 13:57:32

Found this guy out in Connemara, thought he was a type of beetle but really unsure? Can anyone shed some light?:confused:

09-08-2014 2:57pm

#1

famoussheamus

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Found this guy out in Connemara, thought he was a type of beetle but really unsure? Can anyone shed some light?

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#2 18-09-2014 4:43pm

generic2012

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You're right that its a beetle. It's a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) which have very short 'elytra' or wing coverings compared to other beetles this means they look quite similar to earwigs and they can roll their back in the same way, also like a scorpion.

It's from the genus Ontholestes. I doubt its cingulatus as the tend to be yellower towards their end, their distinguishing feature is a yellow 'girdle' which can only be seen from the side. I have never heard of them in Ireland though.

I would be pretty confident in saying it is Ontholestes haroldi but I can't be sure of their distribution, I know they are present in Europe but I don't know about Ireland. Perhaps you found the first specimen!

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