We’re asking you to keep your eyes peeled for Oil beetles and to record any sightings. Submit you records via the iRecord app or website – include a photo if you can!
Scotland is home to three species of Oil beetles:
Violet Oil beetle Meloe violaceus
Found from March to June in meadows and woodlands across Scotland (not found in Orkney, Shetland or the Outer Hebrides).
Black Oil beetle Meloe proscarabaeus
Found from March to June in meadows and woodlands across Scotland (not found in Orkney, Shetland or the Outer Hebrides).
Short-necked Oil beetle Meloe brevicollis
One of our target ‘species on the edge’! Found from March to June on flower-rich coastal grassland and sand dune habitat – especially machair grassland. In Scotland it has been found on the Isles of Coll, Tiree, Islay, Barra and Uist.
Some ID tips
The Violet Oil beetle and Black Oil beetle look pretty similar. The Violet Oil beetle has an indented lower edge of the thorax with a depressed area at the base. It has a distinct sharp tooth at the base of the thorax. The Black Oil beetle has an almost straight base to the thorax with a very small rounded tooth at the base. There is no depressed area at the base of the thorax.
The Short-necked Oil beetle has a rectangular‐shaped thorax which is wider than it is long. The antennae are short, straight and slightly thickened at the tips.
To help you with your ID-ing, we’ve produced a handy Oil Beetle Identification Guide with Buglife – find it here: Oil Beetle Hunt ID Guide
Find out more about the Scottish Oil Beetle Hunt here: www.buglife.org.uk/scottish-oil-beetle-hunt
Happy beetle hunting! Let us know how you get on!
