Other Invertebrates « Assynt Field Club

Carrion Beetle – Oiceoptoma thoracicum

Carrion beetle, Oiceoptoma thoracicum. Photo by R. Robertson

This beetle was discovered by Russell Robertson in his garden in Lochinver on 24th March 2012.

It was susequently identified by Ian Evans, thanks Ian, as Oiceoptoma thoracicum, a carrion beetle which not only eats carrion but is also fond of stinkhorn fungi. It’s a bit early for the fungi!

This beetle, which is fairly widespread in Assynt, is unmistakable from its colour pattern and the strong ribbing on its wing-cases.

Beetle called Dascillus cervinus

This small beetle turned up in a garden in Clachtoll. It was found by Ann Cook on 14th June 2011 and identified by Ian Evans.

It is about 1cm long. It is a beetle called Dascillus cervinus, in a family of its own. There is no common name. it is not uncommon around here in the early summer, usually seen on flowers. The larvae eat roots. The adults are covered in ‘hair’, yellowish-brown in the females, of which this must be one

Dascillus cervinus