Common Shoulderblade

Abax parallelepipedus

Ridged Violet Ground Beetle

Carabus problematicus

Common species in Hainault Forest that hides under logs during daytime and comes out at night to hunt. Up to 30mm long. 

Ridged Violet Ground Beetle

Carabus problematicus

Common species in Hainault Forest that hides under logs during daytime and comes out at night to hunt. Up to 30mm long. 

Great Four-spot Treerunner

Dromius quadrimaculatus

Small Ground Beetle, 5-6mm long, associated with deciduous woodland, parks, and gardens. 

Ophonus ardosiacus

Black Clock Beetle

Pterostichus madidus

Sexton Beetle

Nicrophorus vespilloides

Thistle Tortoise Beetle

Cassida rubiginosa

Green bodied with brown markings on and around the scutellum. There are similar looking species; this one frequents rough grassland where Creeping Thistle grows. It is usually found sitting tightly close to the leaf and can easily be overlooked because it blends in well with the background. The specific name rubiginosa refers to the beetle's ability to produce a red liquid from the head. Body length: 6-8mm.

Thistle Tortoise Beetle

(Larva)

Cassida rubiginosa

The spiked larvae carry dead skins and droppings on their backs. This clever disguise can help them avoid been spotted by predators and may also help protect them from the elements.

Bruchid Weevil

Bruchus

Green Dock Beetle

Gastrophysa viridula

These greenish-golden beetles can be found during May and June in areas where the larval foodplant Dock grows - often close to water. The adults measure 4-6mm in length.

Scarlet Lily Beetle

Lilioceris lilii

The Scarlet Lily Beetle has red elytra dotted with tiny dimples. It overwinters in soil emerging early spring. Adults are found from April until September. This species has a preference for damp habitats. 

Hawthorn Leaf Beetle

Lochmaea crataegi

Found along hedgerows from April until August feeding on Hawthorn leaves.

Large Black Longhorn Beetle

Stictoleptura scutellata

Rarely recorded and nationally scarce. It is ecologically related to beech forests. Adults are usually active in June and July. The larvae develop in deciduous deadwood. These beetles measure up to 20mm long.

Red-headed Cardinal

Pyrochroa serraticornis

These predators were a common sight on hedgerows during June where they were looking for other insects on which to feed. The second part of the scientific name is a reference to the serrated antennae.

Varied Carpet Beetle

Anthrenus verbasci

A tiny mottled-coloured beetle, 2-3mm, that feeds on flower pollen, seen on Ground Elder and other shrubs. Sometimes found in houses where they can become a significant problem. They lay eggs under carpets where larvae known as 'woolly bears' hatch out to feed on the natural fibres in carpets and clothes.

Malachite Beetle

Malachius bipustulatus

Adults appear from during April or May along hedgerows and on trees. To attract a female the male holds its antennae forward. When a female is interested in courtship she will consume the pheromone secretions on the antennae which may last up to an hour. It does not always lead to mating. A female that has already mated may still continue to visit other males just to feed on the secretions.

Minotaur Beetle

Typhaeus typhoeus

The Minotaur Beetle has a preference for habitats containing short grass growing on dry sandy soils. The male has horns projecting from its pronotum, absent in females. Adults make burrows  up to 1.5 metres deep under dung belonging to rabbits, sheep, deer, horses and cattle. The larvae feed on dung.