Cercyon melanocephalus
Cercyon melanocephalus
Description
A distinctive 'Dung Beetle' with a reddish elytra and black triangular colouration over the scutellar area.
Identification difficulty
Habitat
Though a member of the water beetle family, this species lives in dung, effectively 'swimming' through it.
When to see it
It can be found from March to October.
Life History
Like some other beetles in this family, it spins a silk cocoon in which to protect its eggs.
UK Status
Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.
VC55 Status
Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 61 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.
David Nicholls
Wirlybones Wood, Ratby
24 May 2008
David Nicholls
Ratby field
20 October 2011
Graham Calow
Sapcote
10 April 2013
specimen examined
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Additional images
