Black Oil-beetle - Meloe proscarabaeus

Description

A large (~30mm) shiny black beetle with a straight base to the thorax and a very small rounded tooth at the base.

Similar Species

Violet Oil Beetle, Meloe violaceus. 

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Detailed photos showing key features required.

Habitat

Unimproved grassland, occasionally woodland sites.

UK Status

Found throughout the UK, less common in the north. 

VC55 Status

Uncommon.

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

Common names
Black Oil-beetle
Species group:
Beetles
Kingdom:
Order:
Family:
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
07/03/2025 (Sexton, Timothy)
Last record:
07/03/2025 (Sexton, Timothy)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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