The NatureSpot Photo of the Month for April is this image of a Red-breasted Carrion Beetle, taken by NatureSpot contributor Peter Smith. More...

The Red-breasted Carrion Beetle, Oiceoptoma thoracicum, is uncommon in Leicestershire & Rutland and is found around or under the carcasses of birds and small mammals, often in woodland. Curiously, the adult beetle does not eat the carrion itself, but both adults and larvae hunt for larvae of other insects, such as flies, eating the remains. It's a bit grisly but this species is part of the clean up crew which stops us being knee deep in corpses, so we should thank them. 

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