Pterostichus niger
This large (15-21mm) ground beetle is all black apart from red claws and spines on its legs. The pronotum is rather long and fairly narrow by comparison with Pterostichus melanarius and also has sinuate sides.
Pterostichus melanarius is a similar size and colour but has a rounded pronotum, not sinuate, but with a small tooth at each rear corner.
Pterostichus madidas also has a rounded pronotum but doesn't have the rear teeth.
Found in woodland and damp grassland.
Most likely to be seen between spring and autumn
It Breeds in the autumn and overwinters as an adult. Groups can be found sheltering together under bark and logs.
Common throughout Britain
Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 157 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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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:
- Carabidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 50
- First record:
- 30/09/1987 (Derek Lott)
- Last record:
- 11/03/2025 (Isabel Raval)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
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