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.
single female sunning herself on Little Assynt All-Abilities Path (DAH) (01/07)
20+ along one stretch of Little Assynt All-Abilities Path (DAH) (01/07)
6+ along one stretch of Little Assynt All-Abilities Path (DAH) (01/07)
16+ animals off Raffin (DAH/Charlotte Newell) (29/06)
two pale morph birds off Stoer Head Lighthouse (DAH) (29/06)
single adult bird, Loch na Bruthaich (DAH). This is a non-breeding loch for this species so it will have flown here from its breeding loch for a bit of RnR! (29/06)
two in old quarry near Little Assynt (Cheryl Smith) (28/06)
two adult birds, Loch Inver (DAH) (27/06)
