Platystomos albinus

Length 7 to 10 mm. There is strong sexual dimorphism with the male having antennae as long as the body, but these are shorter in the female. There may also be variation in colour from grey to fawn and brown. The white markings vary in size and may be reduced or occasionally absent.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, good photos are required that show the key ID features. Also state the beetle's size in the comments box.

The adults are found on fungus infected Beech and Alder and occasionally on other deciduous trees.

Late spring to early autumn.

The larvae feed on decaying and dying branches of deciduous trees.

Mainly found in the southern half of Britain and never common. It is classed as nationally scarce "B".

Rare and local in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Ketton Quarry specimens of 11th April 2014 are the first record of this species in VC55. There were only 5 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015 - all were from Ketton Quarry.