Sphaeridium scarabaeoides

Length 5 to 7 mm. Whilst normally a well-marked beetle where the black elytra have a dark red blotch and fade to a pale yellow-brown in the rear third, it can be variable and could be confused with other similar species.

Sphaeridium substriatum can look very similar.

This species has a red ID rating and unless identified by a known expert you must provide a satisfactory explanation of how it was identified for the record to be accepted.

Around cattle dung.

Spring to autumn.

Associated with cow dung.

Fairly common and widespread in Britain.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 34 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.