Ontholestes murinus

A very distinctive rove beetle which is around 14mm in length. The thorax has a few gingery hairs and a general brownish mottled appearance, whilst the abdomen shows some grey.

Distinguished from the only other member of the genus, O. tesselatus, by having black legs (the legs are yellowish in O. tesselatus).

Almost anywhere that carrion or dung is to be found, particularly common on the carcasses of dead foxes and badgers.

All year round but mainly spring to autumn.

Feeds on carrion and on larva in dung. It is a good flyer.

Fairly frequent in southern Britain at least, fewer records from the northern regions.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.