Dendroxena quadrimaculata

Alternative names
Four-spotted Carrion Beetle
Description

A distinctive beetle which is unlikely to be confused with any other.  The elytra are bronze to golden brown with four black spots, two on each elytron.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

This is an uncommon beetle in our area, so please provide a photograph to support your record.

Habitat

Favours well wooded areas, probably favouring Ok.

When to see it

Can be seen throughout the year but is dormant in the winter months.  May and June may be the months when it is most likely to be found.

Life History

The adults and the larvae prey on caterpillars.

UK Status

Widespread, particularly in the southern half of Britain, but often very local in its distribution.

VC55 Status

Seems to have become quite uncommon in VC55 (Leicestershire and Rutland) with few recent records.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
insect - beetle (Coleoptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Silphidae
Records on NatureSpot:
3
First record:
24/05/2025 (Rathbone, Lance)
Last record:
18/05/2026 (Katie Goddard)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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