Malthinus flaveolus

Description

5-6mm. This is the commonest species in the genus. The greyish brown elytra bear a pair of yellow spots. Scutellum completely yellow. Pronotum yellow with usually with some dark markings, that can vary in extent.  When viewed from above the sides of the pronotum is more or less parallel and gently curve around to the front. Head all black from the front/middle of the eyes to the back. Front of the head yellow without any orange. Elytra not clearly punctured in obvious rows along the length. Legs yellow.

Similar Species

There are four UK species in the genus but these can generally be separated with care. M. seriepunctatus is the most similar but is smaller than M. flaveolus.

Malthodes species are often confused with Malthinus species but one general way of distinguishing is that Malthinus have “Y” shaped heads and the head of Malthodes are much more rounded.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

Your specimen should have these features:

  • Head: black to the eyes, front yellow
  • Pronotum: yellow + 2 dark bands. Parallel edges. No pale rim
  • Scutellum: all yellow
  • Elytra: without striae
  • Legs: all yellow
Identification aids
Malthinus

 

Habitat

Hedgerows and wooded areas, especially on Oaks.

When to see it

June to August.

UK Status

Widespread in England and Wales, less common in Scotland.

VC55 Status

Reasonably common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

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:
Beetles
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Cantharidae
Records on NatureSpot:
12
First record:
17/06/2010 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
30/06/2023 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records