Pterostichus nigrita

Description

A medium-sized (9-12mm) black ground beetle. The typical form is uniformly black but there is a form with reddish femora (var. rufifemoratus).

Similar Species

P. nigrita cannot be separated from P. rhaeticus without examining the genitalia. P. nigrita has a rounded tip to the male right paramere and this is more pointed in P. rhaeticus.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Identification by gen det is necessary so your evidence should describe this.

Habitat

Damp areas, marshes and water margins, but also in hedgerows on heavy soils.

When to see it

All year round.

UK Status

Widespread and common in Britain.

VC55 Status

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:
insect - beetle (Coleoptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Carabidae
Records on NatureSpot:
4
First record:
13/04/2015 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
21/03/2025 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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