Violet Oil Beetle
Meloe violaceus
Image Gallery
When to See Me
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
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Spotting Tips
The Violet Oil Beetle is a native oil beetle throughout the UK, although its primary strongholds are further south in western parts of England and Wales. It is typically shiny violet in colour but can occasionally be black or bronze. Since both species have a square thorax, it can commonly be mistaken for a Black Oil Beetle, however the Violet Oil Beetle has an indented lower edge to the thorax, and a strong tooth below the lower edge of the thorax. Typically around 10–30 mm long, females are generally larger than the males, with the males being identified by a more pronounced ‘kink’ in their antennae.
Where to Find Me
Violet Oil Beetles are found in woodlands, meadows and coastal grasslands throughout the UK, so technically its possible to find them anywhere on the property. Given that their diet is primarily the petals and leaves of flowering plants and grasses we think the most likely place to find them will be during a sunny day in spring / early summer in one of the many meadows you can find along the walk.
Since their population is known to be declining, UK charity Coleoptera have organised a hunt for oil beetles to help monitor these trends. So if you do see one please click the link below & report your sighting if you have the time.
Since their population is known to be declining, UK charity Coleoptera have organised a hunt for oil beetles to help monitor these trends. So if you do see one please click the link below & report your sighting if you have the time.
Image
Violet Oil Beetle
Meloe violaceus
Image Gallery
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Image
The Violet Oil Beetle is a native oil beetle throughout the UK, although its primary strongholds are further south in western parts of England and Wales. It is typically shiny violet in colour but can occasionally be black or bronze. Since both species have a square thorax, it can commonly be mistaken for a Black Oil Beetle, however the Violet Oil Beetle has an indented lower edge to the thorax, and a strong tooth below the lower edge of the thorax. Typically around 10–30 mm long, females are generally larger than the males, with the males being identified by a more pronounced ‘kink’ in their antennae.
Violet Oil Beetles are found in woodlands, meadows and coastal grasslands throughout the UK, so technically its possible to find them anywhere on the property. Given that their diet is primarily the petals and leaves of flowering plants and grasses we think the most likely place to find them will be during a sunny day in spring / early summer in one of the many meadows you can find along the walk.
Since their population is known to be declining, UK charity Coleoptera have organised a hunt for oil beetles to help monitor these trends. So if you do see one please click the link below & report your sighting if you have the time.
Since their population is known to be declining, UK charity Coleoptera have organised a hunt for oil beetles to help monitor these trends. So if you do see one please click the link below & report your sighting if you have the time.
Image