7th April 2025

Black Oil Beetle

This rather sizeable beetle trundled past me at quite a speed today. It's a rather scarce Black Oil Beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus). By the shape of the antennae, it is probably a female. They are nest parasites of solitary bees. This specimen was seen in the gardens of Goodnestone House, where I know that the gardener is taking active steps to encourage solitary bee species. She was walking into the sun, hence the rather annoying back shadow. Still, a very pleasing find.