Not a butterfly I am afraid - bug/beetle?

[Susie]

I thought this would be easy to ID but so far it has me stumped. I had assumed that it was some sort of chafer beetle or shield bug but so far I can't find an ID for it. Seen today at Denbies hillside which is chalk grassland in the grass, but it was on the edge of woodland which has a lot of yew/beech.

It has folded it's head over the end of the grass stalk but previously it was normal (flat) and it had a pointed rear.

Any help much appreciated.

[Trev Sawyer]

Hi Susie,
Could it be an adult male glow worm I wonder? I've never seen one "in the flesh", but the general shape and flattened thorax looks right.

Trev

[Mark Colvin]

Hi Susie,

This looks like the Red-breasted Carrion Beetle (Oiceoptoma thoracica) to me.

Kind regards. Mark

[Trev Sawyer]

Good call Mark. I'll get my coat...

Trev

[Susie]

Thanks for trying anyway, Trev, your help is still appreciated

Thanks Mark, that's smashing and looks to be a good match. I've never seen one of these before. I should have given it a sniff, then I would have known!